Massachusetts Books

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.

I consider this book to be an easy reading mystery. It flows well and keeps you in suspence without so much of the guts and gore you see today. I thoughly enjoyed it and will look for more books by this same author.

This book is an excellent example of scholarly research in genealogy and family history. It is well documented and any person who is searching for a connection to this Benson family will be pleased to add this gem to their collection.

It was to my great advantage to be spending the summer of 1992 in Lenox when I read this book, purchased from the local village. Carol Owens has provided a supurb look into the lives and lifestyles of the gilded aged super rich as well as an excellent portrayal of the architecture of the summer cottages of the Berkshires. Filled with historical facts and "twice-told tales", this book is a rare gem giving the reader a vivid and pictoral view point of life during this era among the social ellete and powerful industrial magnates. I was able to see many of the homes by using Owens' book as a tour guide. It was thoroughly fascinating! I even got a bit carried away when I decided to take an unauthorized tour of the massive (and deserted) 92 room Elm Court, once owned by Emily Vanderbilt Sloane White. The local police were less impressed with my venture. Lookout for the flowershop owner who works out of what used to be Elm Courts' carriage house--he is a real snitch. If you enjoy reading about the "400" and the gilded age or the architecture of this period, you must read this book. It is a real treasure!

This book is very informative (...but not that kind of "lonely planet") I came last year to study at UMass Amherst. I used this book to travel around the area... love it very much especially in dining and accomodation sections... .very good info for planning the trip :-)

It is hard to imagine another region that can boast more consistently interesting writers per square foot than the beautiful Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts.
The present volume has gathered many, from the 1600's to our own time, always with an eye for local color and the good read. Along the way we meet some interesting residents and visitors (Francis Parkman, Charles Dickens), sample some old favorites, Hawthorne, Melville, and Wharton, among others, and are pleased to become acquainted with the fine writing of Paul Metcalf and Don Gifford.
Altogether a delight for anyone who cherishes good reading, and especially of course for those who love the area.

(The "score" rating is an unfortunately ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

You don't have to live in western Massachusetts to enjoy this excellent collection by a veteran jounalist (though it will bring smiles of recognition to the natives). Bulkeley's insightful observations evoke a real sense of the area's nature, history, and colorful characters, while at the same time he gives it universal significance. This is compassionate and truly human writing at its best!

Too often, people dismiss the Berkshires as the "Berzerkshires" - a place inhabited by the kinds of folksy degenerates who populated the artworks of the great Norman Rockwell, arguably the Michelangelo of his time. As Ms. Owens points out in her magnum opus, nothing could be further from the truth. The Berkshires are not merely the petri dish of the grotesque - they are also the locus of many random cottages, scattered hither & thither across the landscape, which it behooves any self-respecting human to visit, nay to study in depth. Yes, you will visit the Berkshires for the inbreeding & the unsolved homicides, but you will stay for the COTTAGES. Huzzah!

I bought this guide because I didn't want to lug around anything heavy and that couldn't fit in my pocket while walking around the city. Berlitz did a really nice job providing key information and a good overview of Boston for travelers.