Virginia Books

A must-read for "feline-ophiles" and anyone who has ever wondered what really goes on inside the mind of a cat. Not to mention that it's a love story, too. The authors have perfect captured the essence of "felineness" as epitomized by those two artistes of the keyboard, Cleo and Tyrone. Their unique outlook on life is hilarious and insightful both to cats and humans too.

A charming and insightful book, filled with a hilarious feline view of the world. Everyone (not just cat-lovers) will appreciate the wit and wisdom of Cleo and Tyrone. After reading their adventures, pet owner may find themselves putting a "password-protect" on their computer before leaving the house!

I ended up reading it myself and wondering why, in all of literature, I had never before seen a chapter headed "Moving, Metamucil and Mengele." Seems like such a natural. Anywahy, I got this for a cat-loving friend, then my kids saw it, and because we have a cat that climbs on my keyboard, they assumed it was about our cat and proceeded to pick it up, smearing it with peanut butter and rendering it useless as a gift. So I started to read some of it to them as a rest between Harry Potter installments. They liked it and so did I. Though I got a lot more of the jokes than they did. works on two levels the way the old bullwinkle shows do and the way we like to think the new grinch movie does. anyway, cleo makes me laugh. it';s just a great comedy name. cleo. has "k" sound in it, you know.

This is the present you should buy for yourself and every other cat lover you know. It's funny, it's touching, and it gets inside the minds of two extraordinary felines. If you were ever wondering what your cat was thinking when you weren't around (or even when you are!), this book explains it all to you. A really must-own book, and I hope all the cat world becomes aware of it. Even ailurophobes (hope I spelled that right!) will have their fears confirmed: Cats really ARE smarter than most of us and this book proves it! I am looking forward to seeing Cleo's screenplay made into a major motion picture!

Let's get this over with I do not like cats. Dogs are much more loyal, always happy to see you and some dogs actually work. You never hear of a cat rescuing anyone from frozen terrain.

With that out of the way, lets talk about the most refreshing, humorous book to hit the bookshelves. If you ever wanted to know a "Feline's perspective on love, life and litter", this book is for you. It's one of those rare books that you can share with your children.

Cleo and Tyrone spend the days dreaming, emailing each other, plotting ways to drive their Mommies and the dog, Loopy Ole Chester, nuts. They views of the world will have you laughing out loud.

Now if only Linda Hamner and L.Virginia Browne would write another Cleo and Tyrone novel... solving mystery?

If you want to introduce your children to a prevailing modern paradigm/belief system regarding the origins of life, this isn't a bad book to do it with. It is understandably written with Ms. Burton's charming illustrations. As you will see from my title, I regard it as a fairy tale which I want my children to be familiar with. I shelved it next to D'Aulaires Greek Myths.

I read this book almost 20 years ago in the first grade and was immediately hooked on natural history, dinosaurs, life sciences, and the like, not to mention storytelling itself. The illustrations are entrancing and the format--the history of life as a play in several acts on a world stage--is enthralling. It's highly informative, too, for a young reader (or even an old one), and it was one of the most memorable and entertaining "educational" books I read as a child.

Now out of college, I have recently repurchased it for nostalgia and read it again. It remains a wonderful work. Being from 1961, it is slightly dated in spots. For example, it says that there is no record of life 2 billion years ago, whereas today we have found lifeforms dating back twice that far. Also, the dinosaurs' extinction is attributed to a cooling climate, because at the time the meteor theory was not widely accepted.

But this of course is nitpicking. The ultimate point of the book is that it's an introduction to the history of our planet and everything on it, including us. The central message--that our own life stories fit into the grand tapestry of life's history--remains. This is a remarkable book, and paticularly if you have a young child, I highly recommend picking up a copy.

I am so glad to see that this book is still in print. It is my favorite book from childhood and I still have my battered copy which I hope to share with my own children some day. The book is beautifully illustrated and written. The author conveys the beauty and the grandness of Earth's origins in a paen to natural history. The illustrations are what always captured me though. They are like nesting russian dolls, each layer presents its own story and suggests new meanings. It is a great introduction to the joys of exploring our world and our history.

Why don't the bookstores carry this one? In the tradition of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, and Katy and the Big Snow, Life Story presents its main tale in VLB's characteristic artwork wrapped with interesting mini drawings. My children and I enjoyed this title, and I am considering buying several more copies to keep on hand as gifts. (This review was titled and written with the assistance of Sal, age 8.)

As a child this was my favorite book as well. I had it checked out of the school library so often I may as well have owned it. I was thrilled to recently find it still in print, and I ordered a copy for my kids -- and one for myself!

The artwork is incredible. There's something about the style of it that almost... psychedelic. There's a swirling flow to it, with orderly ribbons of plants and animals winding into the distance. Yet while highly stylized, the artwork at the same time offers a wonderful sense of realism. The swamps of the Carboniferous seem so dark and mysterious; the verdant forests at the opening of the Cenezoic Era are infused with the essence of life born anew. And the intricate borders around the "program" at the beginning remind one of the lovingly detailed borders one might find along the high ceiling of some Victorian-era museum.

Even after 40 years, the science behind the book holds up amazingly well. If you want to inspire a love of natural history in your children, get them this book!

This is a very handy book to have around very well organized and easy to use not to mention jammed full of wonderful drink ideas.

Fabulous little book!!! I bought it as a gift for a friend and almost kept it for myself. It's an essential book for mixing up great cocktails at home. I plan on buying more as hostess gifts.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my son. He's delighted with it and spent an hour perusing it's pages and finding drinks he'd never heard of before. Since his career involves a lot of entertaining, it's something he looks forward to using for many years to come. I highly recommend the book for anyone who wants to dazzle visitors with their expertise in cocktail making.

We recently had a cocktail party, and put this book on the bar so people could check it out and try something new. It was a hit with all, which included 20-somethings to 50-somethings.

I got this gift for a best friend's 21st birthday (in addition to the Little Black Book for Smoothies). Such a great book! It is hardcover spiral and has an elastic band so you can store it wherever without bending the pages. Cute cover: black book (of course) with circular green label that says the title (whereas the Smoothie book has a pink label). Very chic, cute design, something anyone would absolutely love! Had to buy another set for me!

James Morgan is known far and wide as THE expert on the Battle at Ball's Bluff. There have been other works and articles published on the battle, but Jim's far outranks them all and is now the standard for the fight and battlefield. He also dispels disproven myths about the battle and for the first time presents an extremely well documented telling. The special bonus is that, as with all volumes of Ironclad's "Discovering Civil War America" series, there is an expertly-crafted guided tour in the back of the book.

For anyone interested in a little-known early clash of the Civil War, or even if you think you know what happened there, you must get this book. Read it through, and then take it to the battlefield with you for the tour, especially the little National Cemetery there. If you're lucky, Morgan himself will be available to tour with you. - he's a battlefield guide there.

Fantastic writing, impressive bibliography and sources.

This is the second book in "The Civil War America Series" which "features soft-cover works that focus on less publicized Civil War battles and sites." This is the series strength and also its' weakness. Little known can make a difficult read as you lack reference points and faces for names. The reward is learning something new not covered in multiple books. This is both a rewarding and difficult book. I did have problems keeping the names on the right side of the field but I came away with a much better understanding of this important little battle. This well told story shows James Morgan's knowledge of the battle and the aftermath. He can quickly give us a personal experience or detail and return to the battle with out missing a step. His very detailed narration gives us the full story from both sides of the line while keeping the "Fog of War" for the commanders.

A big plus is the full battlefield tour included at the end of the book. Action is often tied to the current battlefield giving us a reference and a guidebook if we ever get a chance to visit the park. A good selection of photos and maps keep the reader in the picture. This is a battle book. The focus is on General Stone and the men on the field not back at Army HQ. A logical interpretation of HQ's messages helps us understand the assumptions made that day.

Another plus is the price of the book. Ironclad lists this book at $18.95 but packs more and better information, maps and photos into this small package than many books selling for $29.95.

Although I have read and enjoyed Byron Farwell's book on the disastrous Balls Bluff battle that caused such a psychological shock on the Union, Morgan's book provides deeper analysis into what occurred virtually blow by blow that will appeal greatly to the serious Civil War student. The book may be a bit challenging for those less familiar with Civil War history due to depth of the descriptions that breakdown movements virtually by company; however, the several maps included provide a great assistance. The numerous bios and command distinctions does slow the action some times and causes periodic distraction. Morgan describes the battlefield with references to its modern state making it a particularly handy read and companion when visiting the battle site that has suffered some modern encroachment. What I found most interesting about this book is the study of both the union command structure, which was fragmented between commanders of similar rank compounded by the late arrival of the commanding officer Colonel Baker. The force that was initially suppose to be a reconnaissance in force across the Potomac coordinated with a lower movement at Edward's Ferry and a move by McClellan further east but its purpose seemed to lend itself to full committed due to a misperception of grautious success. The author also provides a profile of the odd confederate command with the infamous Major Evans commanding in spite of Colonel Hunton's superior rank. Morgan does a great job capturing the detailed movements of all the forces involved resolving some of the mystery of confederate forces that were largely unseen by the union forces. The command structure of the Union is handicapped by faulty information supplied by an earlier scouting expedition that misinterprets landmarks for a confederate encampment. This confusion contributes to the poor disposition of troops that concentrate on the south and west while the majority of the officers recognize that the east wooded area that also encompasses a ravine, is the most vulnerable area. This recognition of the east vulnerability is discovered late, not long after the commander, Colonel Baker, arrives on the scene. Morgan takes away a lot of the mystery of what happens next by detailing the confederate attacks and late union shifting of units that ultimately leads to a collapse of the union position. With the high bluffs on their back with a relatively deep river behind, the collapse of the union left leads to an abrupt fragmentation of order. Morgan goes further in his book describing the overall campaign that is obviously hindered by the newness of the war's command structure and communications. Neither Stone, overall commander at Balls Bluff and Edwards Ferry, nor McClellan has a real feel for what is occurring until the collapse. Morgan also captures the fighting around Edwards Ferry that coincided with Balls Bluff and McClellan's ineffective movements that contributed to the isolation of Baker's forces. In addition, Morgan tells how General Stone is severely punished, including incarceration, by vengeful politicians and is neglected by General McClellan. Baker was a popular politician and friend of Lincoln's that contributes immensely to the severe reaction to this union defeat. In this book, Morgan also provides a walking tour of the battlefield that identifies significant landmarks even obscured by modern housing units. This is the ultimate book that will give you the in-depth story of this small battle that had far reaching effects on the north while also assisting you in your visit to the battlefield. Farwell's book is also a good read and captures more detail on Stone's fall.

Clearly the best treatment of the Battle at Ball's Bluff available. An excellent telling of the little known fight drawn from good research and a thorough bibliography. The included tour guide alone is worth the price of the book.

There is little to add that already hasn't been said in the other reviews. I just wish it was available in hardback! If the future titles in this series are as good as this then Ironclad is assured of repeated patronage. I only have one very very minor criticism. Though the maps are generally quite good, I wish elevation lines were included as the topography of the Union left flank had a critical effect on the fight and the text covering it was a little confusing at times. None of this detracts much from this wonderful work, which is easily the best battle history of 2004.

"I" thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! As I initially started to "pre-read" the book to assess the "age appropriateness" of the material for my daughter, I must say that I became quickly engrossed in the historical plot, and characters. I couldn't put the book down! I do hope that my daughter will enjoy and learn from it as much as I have. I can't wait to pass this recommendation around to all my homeschooling friends! I look forward to purchasing more of Ms. Hall Haislip's books! Well done!

Lottie felt a slight tug on her rope. Weza nodded to Lottie, and with trembling fingers, she cut the slender piece of rope that still attached her to the other women. Feeling the tension of her rope slacken, Ruby turned and stared, but she said nothing. Taking the knife, Weza cut the strand of rope tying her to Lottie. A moment later, they plunged into the darkness.

In Phyllis Hall Heislip's Lottie's courage, Lottie, a young girl, is separated from her mother due to slavery. Lottie and her slave friend, Weza, escaped from their slave trader. After escaping, Lottie and Weza head toward what they thought was north. Their slave trader sent dogs after them once he learned they escaped. A northern soldier saw the dogs chasing Lottie and Weza, and informed other soldiers. Lottie and Weza were saved and were taken to the soldiers' fortress. Lottie's mother had gotten lung fever twice, would she ever see her daughter again?

I think this book is mainly for girls from the ages 10-12. I think this because character, Lottie, is around that age and they will be able to relate to the story easily.

From cover to cover, Lottie's adventures are numerous and serve to make her story exciting and her character multi-dimensional. In Lottie's search for her family, her rightful position in free society, and even an understanding of herself, she remains engaging and relatable. Her struggles and triumphs set the moral and emotional tone of the story, and the setting of Civil War Virginia impeccably places it within its historical context. The reader thus not only witnesses Lottie's endeavors, but also receives a glimpse of the larger historical events influencing her world. Factual and fun, Lottie's Courage is a most entertaining read!

Lottie's Courage was an intriguing book with many exciting, as well as touching scenes about two runaway slaves and their adventures. Though fictional, it contained a lot of real information about the Civil War which I didn't know very much about. Even though it was sad in parts (it almost made me cry), that was part of what made it so good. Though the whole book was terrific, I would have to say my favorite scene was when a balloon came down and saved Lottie and Weza from the terrorizing dogs that captured slaves. It's hard to believe that someone can do such outstanding writing. Exellent Job!

Lottie's Courage is an inspiring story of a young girl's journey to find her freedom, her family and herself. A smooth blend of accurate historical details, drama and moral issues swirls about this emerging heroine. And she is such a charmer! Clear period illustrations and a glossary add another dimension and make this book useful as a classroom resource. An exciting story, but not overwhelming for the young reader...welldrawn, memorable characters...intriguing plot based on actual fact!

Maynard's SCREAMING WITH THE CANNIBALS takes on the next stage in the life of the narrator of CRUM, which has a large following of enthusiastic readers.This one picks up the story where CRUM left off. Fans will leap at the opportunity to find out what happened to Jesse- and yes, the narrator of the first book finally gets a name! Jesse is presented as a sort of archetype of all those young adventurers who need to see what is on the other side of the next ridge. He wants to move on, to escape from everything in his old life. In the final part of this book, he gets as far as South Carolina where he experiences racism, the ocean, and forgiveness. The long scene in which Jesse escapes a Kentucky revival meeting with his soul unsaved and his skin intact is worth the price of the book. He doesn't find everything he's looking for, but there is more than a hint that Maynard isn't through with his story.

First, forget the review that said women don't enjoy Crum. Anyone can and will enjoy both of Lee Maynard's books if they have a good sense of humour and aren't a prude. I loved Crum. It was hilariously raunchy and accurate in its portrayal of country life.

Screaming With The Cannibals may even be better than Crum. Where Crum was a country boy's wild adolescence, Screaming With The Cannibals is a young man's cross country adventure. It's funny, sexy, adventurous, human, exciting, ...and a whole lot of other adjectives!

A modern classic. So much life and imagination is packed into this small book. Life in the country, road trips, strange Mountain folk, scary Southern folk, tent revivals, crazy preachers, skinny dippin', train jumpin', [hot] lifeguards, murderous cops, car chases, and sex smothered in home cookin'.

It has that timeless, country humour and atmosphere of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, with a bit of On the Road, Stand by Me, O Brother Where Art Thou?, and 9 1/2 Weeks thrown in the mix. All written in simple, straight forward, but still somehow poetic language. I didn't want it to end.

If you haven't read Crum, don't bother getting this book. This is the sequel to Crum, and although it's not quite as good as the original, it's a great story.

Crum is a book that very few women would enjoy. If you're a guy with a sense of humor you should check it out. It's one of the funniest books I've ever read, about a kid growing up in a small town in West Virginia. The book is full of the adventures of this kid and his friends, and of his quest to leave the town of Crum. If you enjoy that book, you will also like this one.

Lee Maynard is an outstanding writer, and I'm constantly looking for anything new by him. I was thrilled when I found this book earlier this year and not at all disappointed when I read it.

This is another great book by Lee Maynard that should be made into a movie.Jack Nicholson would be great in this movie and ofcourse it should be filmed in West Virginia!!

Screaming with the Cannibals(SWTC)is action packed and often hilariously funny. The novel is a page-turner filled with downright descriptive sex, and the language men and boys might use when at war. It is the story of an intelligent young boy, Jesse Stone, coming of age and coping with feelings of aloneness, repressive religion, racial turmoil, etc.

The 2nd in a series, SWTC takes up where Maynard's first novel Crum left off. However, the author skillfully incorporates information from Crum in the form of flashbacks and each novel stands alone.

SWTC opens with Jesse, a rough and tumble 50s era football playing, book reading kid, finishing Crum High School. He is determined to see the world he has experience only through the books in the school's library.

Short on specific goals but high on self-reliance, Jesse packs his favorite book, a change of clothes and about thirteen dollars and "lights out" for somewhere.

He hitches a ride and briefly end up a farm hand in nearby Kentucky. There he gets interested (that's putting in mildly)in a neigbor's wife and contributes to a near riot at the farm community's yearly Fundamentalist revival. On the run, he heads south on an unlicensed Triumph motorcycle he rebuilt from used farm equipment parts.

Testesterone in high gear, Jesse finds more trouble with a South Carolina Sheriff before he lands a job as a lifeguard at Myrtle Beach.

Jesse runs smack-dab into racial trumoil and segregated beaches, the same Sheriff, responsible work, plus hoards of nubile girls and a Mrs. Robinson-type older woman.

If you ever wonder, "What goes on in the minds of teen aged boys?" this is the book to read.

The novel is extremely well written and easy to read. I especially like Maynard's writing style.

Readers who remember Myrtle Beach in the "old days" will enjoy the scenes set there.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R6TG7VV1THM93

Having just finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, I looked forward to reading a different kind of story about a boy and his dog. This slim volume speaks chapters and volumes about the power of love we can bring to others by giving them a second chance, whether they are orphan boys or dogs in an animal shelter waiting for adoption. Although most of the book comes from a dog's perspective, the love that Ms. Gerencher has for other people and animals comes through the strongest. It's a love that should inspire us all.

This book will be heart-warming reading for any child who has been adopted. In addition, any child who is autistic will feel affirmed by what Ms. Gerencher has to say. Finally, anyone who has thought about adopting a pet from a shelter will realize the full humanity of making that choice.

If you know a youngster who is about 7-10 years old who needs to count his or her blessings, this is a good book to buy as a gift. It will mean the most, however, if you read it aloud to the youngster the first time so you can convey the full emotion in the book.

I especially liked the interior illustrations which are more attractive than the cover one and show a sensitive approach to impressionistic ways of capturing the universal.

Buy this book and enjoy!

Sandra J. Gerencher addresses many issues in her well-written, entertaining, informative book SECOND CHANCE. Not only is this a tale that deserves wide attention among proponents of animal shelters and readers seeking a degree of understanding of autism, it also stands alone as a beautifully illustrated (by Virginia Cody) book for informing children about the concept of adoption. For this reader this book is one of the finest explanations for sharing the meaning of adoption with youngsters - a definite assist to parents who adopt and are searching for the best way to discuss the topic with their family.

But Gerencher goes further than the usual author of books for children by engaging the reader using a dog's view of the process. The warmly human 'lady' of the story goes to the animal shelter, adopts a German Shepherd/Rottweiler pup that is seemingly unwanted, and takes the pup 'Chance' home - adopting (a strange word to the narrator Chance) yet another animal for her houseful of Pomeranians. The manner in which Chance interacts with his new 'brothers' as well as his bonding with the lady's adopted autistic son Ryan offers the crux of the story, a story that explains the nurturing and care and sense of family that occurs with the concept of the term 'adoption'.

In Gerencher's gently elegant style of writing the story avoids being maudlin and instead focuses on the wisdom of both animals and humans in exploring, understanding and integrating Adoption as a means of illustrating an extended family, or in other words a `second chance' at life. And by electing to set the typeface of the narration superimposed on the beautifully realized watercolor-like manipulated photography of each of the dogs and the boy, this book becomes an art piece as well. As with other authors who offer subtitles to their books, Gerencher opens her fountain of knowledge and experience in her addressed fields by adding the subtitle 'How Adoption Saved A Boy With Autism and His Shelter Dog'. This book is a fine achievement in literature, in children's books, and in teaching resources for every reader, no matter the age. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, May 08

This book is an absolutely beautiful story. If it does not touch a place in everyone's heart that reads this book, then you have no heart at all.

It is so much more than just a story of adoption. It is a story of a new beginning for what I call "throw away animals and children".

The animals that no one wants because they are not pretty or meet a certain criteria. And children who are not perfect and have special needs. There are hundreds of special children and animals out there waiting for someone to love them and give them a home. They deserve a second chance at life.

In this book Chance, the dog, is doing the talking which my grandson's thought was so funny. They really loved this book. As an adult I agree with them, but I see so much more to this story.

What an excellent read for everyone. I encourage people from all walks of life to buy this book. Not only will your children or grandchildren enjoy this book but so will you.

Brandon, Johnny and Sandra Heptinstall

I did the artwork for the cover on this book before I'd even read the story. When the publisher sent me a copy of the finished product, I took it upon myself to give the whole book a good read. I was delighted! Not only does the story tug at your heart.... and make you wish you could be equally giving in your own life .... the blurred photographic images throughout the book seem like wonderful watercolors! As the adoptive parent to several canines and felines myself, I can safely say that Ms. Gerencher is just the kind of person I want to be associated with. Her heart is truly in the right place. Bravo!

The illustrations and story are inspiring for every girl--those who are brand new and well-traveled alike. In many languages, girls are offered encouragement for living life. I always give this book to newborn girls and have one of my own.

The text and illustrations of this book are both wonderful. This is the perfect gift for a baby girl.

This book is now my standard gift to new moms of daughters. The illustrations and text are so gorgeous! I still cannot read it aloud to my daughter without tearing up.

She Is Born is hard to classify: nonfiction which reads like fiction. She Is Born discusses how cultures around the world celebrate the birth of a daughter, with vivid paintings by John Rowe capturing the multicultural explorations of a daughter's birth. A beautiful presentation, outstanding in its contrasts.

I just had a daughter last month and my best friend gave me this book. I was really touched - the words are profound. The illustrations are beautiful. I am now giving it to another friend who just had a daughter. I highly recommend it.

I just finished reading Ten Circles Upon the Pond, and found it to be most excellent. Being familiar with all the places that Virginia Tranel described in the book made it a fun read for me. I know Dubuque, Billings, and Miles City all very well. It was well written. Rather nostalgic but not maudlin. Sentimental, but not mired, and most enjoyable. Virginia Tranel pulled it off very well. I sort of feel that most memoirs are either self deprecating or self-aggrandizing, so it was very refreshing to see a self-criticism that was fair and yet fun to read. All her characters (kids) came alive as I read the book, and I felt as if I actually knew the whole family. I really would love to drive over and spend an afternoon with Virginia, as I feel we have a lot in common, even though I am more the age of her oldest kids. The book was not perfect, however, I felt that Ned was sort of underplayed, and some of the drama of raising kids was downplayed, but that may not be so bad if she decides to ever write a sequel. I guess I give it about a 96%, which is good, as I have only ever given one book I read a 100%. This was the 59th book I have read this year so far and the second best.... not bad for a first book by an author.

I just finished reading Ten Circles Upon the Pond, and found it to be most excellent. Being familiar with all the places that Virginia Tranel described in the book made it a fun read for me. I know Dubuque, Billings, and Miles City all very well. It was well written. Rather nostalgic but not maudlin. Sentimental, but not mired, and most enjoyable. Virginia Tranel pulled it off very well. I sort of feel that most memoirs are either self deprecating or self-aggrandizing, so it was very refreshing to see a self-criticism that was fair and yet fun to read. All her characters (kids) came alive as I read the book, and I felt as if I actually knew the whole family. I really would love to drive over and spend an afternoon with Virginia, as I feel we have a lot in common, even though I am more the age of her oldest kids. The book was not perfect, however, I felt that Ned was sort of underplayed, and some of the drama of raising kids was downplayed, but that may not be so bad if she decides to ever write a sequel. I guess I give it about a 96%, which is good, as I have only ever given one book I read a 100%. This was the 59th book I have read this year so far and the second best.... not bad for a first book by an author.

I just finished reading Ten Circles Upon the Pond, and found it to be most excellent. Being familiar with all the places that Virginia Tranel described in the book made it a fun read for me. I know Dubuque, Billings, and Miles City all very well. It was well written. Rather nostalgic but not maudlin. Sentimental, but not mired, and most enjoyable. Virginia Tranel pulled it off very well. I sort of feel that most memoirs are either self deprecating or self-aggrandizing, so it was very refreshing to see a self-criticism that was fair and yet fun to read. All her characters (kids) came alive as I read the book, and I felt as if I actually knew the whole family. I really would love to drive over and spend an afternoon with Virginia, as I feel we have a lot in common, even though I am more the age of her oldest kids. The book was not perfect, however, I felt that Ned was sort of underplayed, and some of the drama of raising kids was downplayed, but that may not be so bad if she decides to ever write a sequel. I guess I give it about a 96%, which is good, as I have only ever given one book I read a 100%. This was the 59th book I have read this year so far and the second best.... not bad for a first book by an author.

I began to read Virginia Tranel's book because of my college friendship with one of her sons. I simply thought it would be interesting to read about his mother's view of him and his childhood. But after reading his chapter, I was immediately hooked and quickly read through the rest of the book. Her command of the English language and seamless use of literary and historical references is magnificent. In one way, this book is a simple story of the life of a large family. And yet, it is a touching and sincerely personal memoir, which speaks to all mothers, daughters, father, sons and siblings. I couldn't read the book without thinking of it's relation to my life. And I was enchanted by the way Tranel weaves the tapestry of her tale with thought-provoking philosophical arguments and rich statements about the nature of human relationships. It reads as both a fascinating narrative and as a dense exploration of humanity, faith and struggle.

A masterful telling of the joy and trials of family life and child rearing while touching upon some of the deepest questions we have all asked of ourselves. Extremely well crafted language and intelligent insights make this book and intriguing journey through the lives of this large family. Tranel uniquely weaves multiple facets into the telling of each child's life-generational, historical, sociological, birth order, location and happenstance. The connection between each child's early disposition and interests to their adult life is an interesting and intriguing study, causing the reader to examine their own history.

Another enjoyable part of the book is the beautiful word portraits of life in the high country of Montana and Wyoming, along with side journeys to Iowa, New York, Alaska, Europe and many points in between. In reading this book, I became genuinely excited about some of the insights I gained into the rearing of my own children and my own up-brininging. More importantly, Tranel keeps hitting on how she rationalized, justified or just accepted through faith her position in life and the lives of her husband and children.

The importance of all the little events that compose our lives becomes more evident-from family dinners and holiday traditions right down to a certain piece of clothing or seemingly small event in one's childhood. Riding alongside these events is always the question of faith and life's lingering questions (What if? What could I have become?)-the understanding of which helped keep Virginia Tranel focused on a rich and satisfying career, that of raising ten children. This is a beautifully written book with rich detail allowing the reader to side with each child as they grow and to experience and even envy the Walton-like life of toboggan rides, seventeen foot snowmen, raising horses and cows, fresh baked bread, chaotic vacations and all the nooks and crannies of each family home. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

I bought this book when it was released and it became immediately a favorite. Mrs. Adair's clear voice and evocative prose pleases again and again. Great, accessible, "modern" poetry---what a pleasure! Highly recommended.

Ms. Adair was a mentor of mine some years ago. I like her work so much and find her poems to be like magic boxes: one opens them and finds treasures.
Brava, Virginia Adair!

Virginia Hamilton Adair (1913-2004) was raised in an environment which seemed truly perfect for a (budding) poet. She was born as the daughter of Robert Browning Hamilton (a poet himself). Her parents suffused her with poetry and gave her loving encouragement. After having published some of her works in the first decades of the former century, but because of several private reasons she did not publish for a long stretch of time, she only began to publish again in her eighties.

And I for one am very glad to have discovered her! Mrs. Adair does not mince words and speaks in a direct, assured and clear voice, so no mannerisms here. She takes a refreshing and intelligent look at things. I do love her fine and wicked humour.

These poems cover a wide range of subjects. The experience of a long life is distilled here. Heartwrenching are many of the poems in the Exit Amor section, because in 1968 her husband committed suicide. Her grief and despair found their voice in her poetry (One Ordinary Evening, Dark Lines, The Ruin, Exit Amor, The Year After or Coronach).

So try out Ants on the Melon and you will discover a wonderful poet!

It's always unfair to compare one writer to another, but if you love Emily Dickinson, then Adair's book is for you. Succinct, masterful use of the language. I loved this collection. Buy it!

I'm a literary dilletante and I admit it. I picked up this book because of its swell cover and title.

Upon skimming it in the bookstore, I was hooked. Poems about life, without sappy metaphor or tricky construction. Good earthy, practical poetry. Such breadth of matter, such depth of understanding. I felt that I'd met a poet of substance.

Let's leave it at this, Adair nudged me into reading more poetry, more often.