Maine Books

There is something about this book that makes it a little annoying; maybe the incessant mentioning of Michigan or the veiled references to religion. Obviously, Mr, Grace is a good Catholic with his five children.
There is also a similarity to "The Shoes of the Fisherman."
The story is not bad, it did keep my interest.

This is the best book I have read in a long time. It was an "I can't put it down book."

Finally a thriller with a religious plot that isn't anti-Catholic! For once the Catholic Church is not the bad guy, traditional, orthodox Catholicism is portrayed favorably, there is no centuries-old cover up, there are no secret writings, relics, etc that supposedly prove Jesus wasn't God or was married or had children, there is no trite love story or sex scene between the main character and his female sidekick, in fact, there are no sex scenes at all. Basically it is just a good thriller that uses the Catholic Church in a respectful and exciting way. The only criticism I would have was that his character, Pope Leo, is identical to Pope John-Paul II. I mean, other than the name, he is identical in every way: background, assassination attempt, lengthy tenure, you name it. I think he should have given the character a little more originality. As for concerns Catholics might have, there is some bad language, there is a graphic martyrdom scene that involves rape, torture and mutilation (but on the other hand, it is a beautiful account of faithful Chinese Catholics), and there are two scenes (one with the main character and one with the Chinese bishop) where the Catholics pray before a Buddhist shrine. Otherwise, an excellent book I highly recommend!

"The Secret Cardinal" is an exciting and interesting story that's a definite step up from many of the suspense books out there. The story focuses on two main threads, the first being an attempt to rescue a Chinese bishop from a long incarceration in prison in China and the second the events taking place in the Vatican as a new pope is being chosen.

The hero of this book is Nolan Kilkenny, an American man who is still trying to come to terms with the death of his wife and unborn child. A close family friend invites him to work for him at the Vatican and very soon Kilkenny finds himself involved in a plot to tell the world about the fate of Yin Daoming, an imprisoned Chinese bishop. Kilkenny's skills are vital to plan to rescue Yin, and soon, and with the death of the pope, who had made Yin a secret Cardinal, the pressure is on to rescue the man.

As the various Cardinals meet to choose the new pope, the story follows Kilkenny and his group of special forces operatives as they break Yin out of prison and try to extract him from China to Rome. The action is always well paced and mostly believable and it's an exciting book to read.

The author writes well with good pacing. He isn't particularly strong on descriptive passages so although parts of this book took place in China, Tibet and India I didn't feel that I got a particularly strong picture of the places about which he was writing. I also found the portrayal of catholicism rather one-sided; almost everyone mentioned in the story is a holy and worthy person who is resistant to torture and willing to be martyred - quite a contrast from most books where people's motives are always suspect. It was good to read a book with a positive view of faith but I found at times it was laid on a bit thick for this reader.

Those who have enjoyed other books by this author will no doubt welcome this book and it was indeed a good read, if at times quite depressing about the state of the world and China's hostility towards people of faith.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Imagine living in a country where you could be imprisoned or killed for your faith. For the millions of Chinese Christians, no imagination is needed. This is reality.

The Secret Cardinal takes place in this backdrop where a Roman Catholic bishop, Yin Daoming, has been imprisoned for thirty years. (Bishop Yin's character and this book was inspired by the real Cardinal Kung.) What Bishop Yin and Chinese Christians are put through will shock American readers, but know that the harsh persecution and torture of Chinese Christians is real.

I've been a fan of Tom Grace for a number of years now. His previous books have been technological thrillers with a Catholic protagonist, but they focused on the technology, not the Catholicism. This has much more of a focus on Catholicism, but still includes some sweet (and real/realistic) technology. Nolan Kilkenny, the protagonist, is also an ex-Navy SEAL, so a bit of violence is to be expected. However, the violence is not graphic, with the exception of one passage where it is used to drive home a point.

I enjoyed the religious aspects of this novel and hope that Mr. Grace will include this in some future novels. We are taken into some inner workings of the Catholic Church (and the Vatican spy center, which we are assured doesn't exist). We get a view of the inside of a conclave to elect a pope and some behind the wall views of Vatican City. However, this takes me to one of the pet peeves I have with this style of book, which I will mention later.

I also enjoyed the morality present in this book, from how the protagonist deals with the death of his wife and unborn child to what means are acceptable in a rescue mission to the actions of Chinese Christians. Too many times morality takes a backseat to the results, but the ethos in this novel is not "the ends justify the means". I would have enjoyed more exploration of the morality of Christian marriage and parenthood, but I don't know if Christian marriage and parenthood is compatible with the lifestyle of a daring adventurer who risks his life regularly. I did have a problem with an implication that Catholicism and Buddhism are compatible in some ways.

I found this book an easy and enthralling read, finishing it in a week, but keeping me up a bit too late at night as well. The action moves quickly, with appropriate attention to detail, particularly architecture, Mr. Grace's primary profession.

OK, here's my pet peeve with this style of book. I had the same peeve with The Da Vinci Code. There is so much fact mixed in with the fiction, it is hard to know where one ends and the other begins. Tom Grace does include a "Facts" section at the end of his book, which is helpful, but major incident at the beginning of the book left me wondering if something similar to the mass murder had ever occurred. The Chinese antagonists are portrayed as very brutal and had me questioning if this brutality was realistic or enhanced for literary purposes. I also had questions about some of the Vatican proceedings and surroundings, but my understanding from reading Catholic blogs is that these details are accurate.

I guess this also a testament to Mr. Grace's research. Having visited St. Peter's, I found his book having accurate descriptions of the buildings that I had seen. His descriptions of a conclave were also correct as far as I know, but I am not an expert in these areas. I do know that the names of the cardinals were fictional, Mr. Grace's tip of the hat to his high school teachers at Detroit Catholic Central.

Tom Grace has become an expert on the plight of Chinese Catholics and Sino-Vatican relations. He gives talks about the conflict between China and the Vatican, Cardinal Kung, and Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong. I'm hoping to be able to attend one of these soon.

I would heartily recommend this novel, particularly for both technology and religion junkies. This novel is eye-opening to what Chinese Christians go through and makes one question what steps the U.S. and U.N. should take to increase true religious freedom in China.

Unbelievable history of the vibrator. Who knew??? It is fascinating and well written. For men and women both. I believe its been made into a documentary and is playing currently at Philadelphia Film Festival. Have fun with this one.

I bought this book when it first came out--I knew it by its subject it could be disturbing, fascinating and potentially humorous--and I was not disappointed.
It's a great and very scholarly book that shows how petty, ridiculous and stupid human beings can be about their own bodies and sexuality. Expect to be surprised and informed of historical facts that will boggle your ideas of human intimate history--and don't expect to be titillated.
Fascinating history book for all, and printed by the prestigious Johns Hopkins University press. Definitely college level reading.

Firstly let me say I enjoyed and recommend this book, yet
have taken issue with some of the opinions expressed as if
they are fact.

Well I guess that is the way people write, but take for example, on page 5 of this book the author writes: "The
androcentric definition of sex as an activity recognizes
three essential steps: preparation for penetration
("foreplay"), penetration, and male orgasism."

That is not an androcentric definition of sex,
that is the procreational definition of sex. I do wish
historians could lay off the conspiracy theory, as
there is too much of it running like a theoretical flaw
throughout this book. In an age where effective
contraception is routine, many men and women blithely and
conveniently forgetting the historical roots of intercourse.
It is like people in the city do occasionally naively forget where bottled milk comes from.
The passage continues
"Sexual activity that does not involve at least the last two
has not been popularly or medically (and for that matter
legally) regarded as "the real thing."
There is the rub. Of course it is not regarded as the real
thing, as without it there is no chance of procreation. Surprise
surprise, sex is actually in reality about procreation in
the final analysis. Otherwise it becomes a mere example of
persistent human sensual trivia in the grand scheme of
things, and is moving away from actual sex into merely 'having orgasisms' --- which is a different thing.

But instead the survival of human race actually depends on
the 'real thing' and that is for better or worse the reality of it. Well it did so fully depend until recent times when laboratories can increasingly at times help sperm get it touch with ova.

Beside my criticism of a sly bad vibe of jingoistic
femimism running thru this book it is nonetheless a
worthwhile opinionated exploration into some fairly recent
history of Western medical practice and popular 'culture'
involving the use of vibrators.

Recommended. The book that is. ;-/

for centuries, troubled -- or troubling -- women were diagnosed with "hysteria." the classic treatment for this vague malady was inducement of the "hysteric paroxysm" -- known to us contemporary types as the orgasm. according to rachel maines's wryly hilarious history, the first mechanical vibrators were labor-saving devices for doctors tired of inducing orgasm in their patients manually. who knew? this book is clearly her dissertation & primarily intended for academics, but i found it mind-blowing & frequently quite amusing. i frequently recommend it to friends & colleagues looking for a quick, smart, engaging read.

This book is utterly fascinating! Written by a woman who's really done her homework on the subject, The Technology of Orgasm proves to be a captivating historical account of the evolution of society's perceptions of women's sexuality. It's a must-read for a woman who's confident in her sexuality, or would like to become more so.

Well, here's a book so poorly written that I will return it - which I have never done before. After 1 1/2 chapters, I cannot finish reading this book. The subject of the book showed promise - how to connect with someone who has alzheimers or same type dementia. I was very disappointed to read that the book's techniques did not apply to someone experiencing early onset alzheimers; this isn't why I am returning it, though - the writing style was repetitious and incredibly irritating. For example, how many times can you read the phrase "old-old" in a serious context? Also, reading the case studies is difficult because the quoted conversations are written in what seems like a 'narrative' style - people simply don't talk that way, and it's very distracting.
I give the book two stars - one star because it educated me in backing off trying to orient someone with dementia, and one more star because it made me think about whether newly emerging personality traits could have something to do with resolving business left unfinished earlier in life. In the future I will avoid reading any books written by this writer, as the writing style obviously rubs me the wrong way.

The Validation Breakthrough: Simple Techniques for Communicating with People with 'Alzheimer's-Type Dementia'

To read this book you need to want to know how to help your parent or another loved one that is confused with life,memory loss,and their age.

The person you want to help is more confused than you are,take time to read this helpful and insightful book, you may find it gives you an inside look at some of the problems we all may face some day.

This book may take you into some of the thoughts you may have had and help you get some of the answers you need.

There is no wright or wrong in how to deal with someone you love,because if you love someone you only want what is best for them.

This is how I think about my mom,with love and understanding knowing she does't like what is happening to herself either . Some times she knows,most times she does't.

A friend recommended this book to me when I told her my mom has dementia. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a caregiver of a person with dementia or similar diseases. Using the suggestions in this book, I was able to understand my mother and just "go back" with her when she was not in the present. It helped to calm her down and even get a smile from her on several occasions. You cannot reason someone back to the present when they are afflicted with dementia and their mind takes them back. My dad picked up on this also by watch me with her and now it is easier for him to talk to her as well.

This validation technique is simple to learn. The case studies show you how to apply the technique to different situations. It consistently works where other methods don't. It has made my work in a nursing home so much more enjoyable and rewarding. It's the greatest when you have residents calm down and open up because you have taken a few minutes to validate what level of experience they are at.

A must read for any one with elderly parents or working with the elderly population. Great insight to understanding unusual behaviors and how to communicate with the elderly. This book gives you great techniques on how to deal with stress,anger and conflict while conserving the dignity of the parent or patient.

I like this book because it is so real. I think this can really happen in real life situation and that this why I love this book because he doesn't know what to do and what would he do if he told somebody? Mick was my favorite character because he is just a fifteen- years old and that he was on the computer he read a email about his step mom was having an affair. Mick always keep an eye for his mom and that keeping the secret safe so he wont tell his dad. His step mom Nora was always giving him things to do and like making him busy so she would do her own things and stuff.

More in the book Mick tries to find some clue about his step mom and try who is the mystery guy is?

This book always keep you up on top of your feet but I had fun read it. It was slow at the beginning but it made it self get better and better. One of my favorite part is when he was in his room think what would he do? Would he tell or No? if I was in his situation I would tell my dad or just tell her straight up what was she doing and stuff. I wouldn't just spy on her because u maybe can find more things about her and stuff.

This book is Great so read it.

"Zipped" was a good if peculiar book. It was written in the third person from the points of view of the main character and several of the supporting characters. That was slightly annoying in that you never knew exactly where you were or what was happening till you read a few sentences, but it was also nice `cause it allowed the stories to, kind of, `meanwhile' with each other a little. "Zipped" is mostly a story about Mick's love life, or, sometimes in the story, lack there of, and the parts of the other characters' lives that correspond with Mick in some way. There wasn't that much storyline but the little that there was, was amusing. It's a good book for a weekend when you have nothing better to do, it's not a great page turner but it will hold your attention if you are otherwise bored.

Emily Matheny


ZIPPED
Laura and Tom McNeal

1.) Mick Nichols, Lisa Doyle, Myra Vidal, Nora Mercer- Nichols, and "Alexander Selkirk".

DYNAMIC:
Mick Nichols was a dynamic character in this book. In the first chapter he made a discovery that changed his life that would be devastating for any person, let alone a teenager. This caused him to mature in many ways. From the beginning he was your average teenage boy who then turned into the teenager that every parent dreads. Never home, not open for communication, and everything else that goes along with the teenage stage. Later in the book he started to grow instead of descend. By the end he had gained trust back for his family, became more independent, and was a lot more considerate towards others.

Lisa Doyle- Lisa Doyle was also a dynamic character. Over one summer she fell in love with an older friend, developed a crush on neighborhood boy, and also had to keep secret that her best friend was dating an older guy that she herself did not approve of. Under these circumstances Lisa was put under a lot of pressure. She went through many changes some made her a better person and some evens that made her change even broke her heart. By the end of this book Lisa was still the same person but in a better way. She ends up dating Mick who was her neighborhood crush and has a whole new outlook on the world.

Myra Vidal- When Myra first enters this book; you really just get the impression of her being your average "college partier". It seems as if she has no intentions just to be a tease. As you read farther into the book you find out a lot more about her. Myra struggles with her orientation and what other people and the person that she loves may think. Mick becomes one of her best friends and really just a friend to talk to about her problems. She never does tell her friend the way that she feels in fear of ruining all friendship but she does reveal to Mick and this made her a stronger person.

Nora Mercer- Nichols- Honestly, within this first chapter of this book I could tell that I was not going to be a big fan of this character. She cheats on Mick's father and goes behind his back. I found her to be a cold hearted person because I didn't see how a person could do this to a family. Mick found out and this hurt him in many ways. Towards the end of the book it started to reveal more about how she felt towards the situation. She knew what she had done was wrong and she did feel bad but she was also torn apart by the man that had hurt her and also caused her to hurt her family. In the end the Nichols family grew closer and Nora make a more caring person and more aware of the feelings of others.

STATIC:
"Alexander Selkirk"- Alexander was better known as Tony Crusco was a static character. He was the type of person that I consider extremely hard to change. He was a teacher at Mick's school that lead on many woman. One of them just so happened to be Nora (Mick's stepmother). He started out being a jerk and through out the book you learn more stories about him and his personal life that lead you to only have more animosity towards him. In the end of the book he ends up moving to Louisiana. His goal was to make a fresh start in another state...I am assuming probably the same start instead of one for the better.

2.) The setting of this novel is based in a small town. Everyone lives near each other and the high school is in walking distance to most of the students. There was a small Village named The Village Greens Seniors' Community. A lot of the book took place here. It was a summer job that Mick, Lisa, and a friend of hers name Janice all shared. Many incidents took place here and this is where most of the climax developed. Without this setting a lot of the book's plot wouldn't have been useable. I think that the setting brought a lot to the book and made it a lot more interesting and suspenseful

3.) The main theme to this book is "coming of age". I think that in this book every single dynamic character ends up growing up in many ways. When it comes to Mick it was how he dealt with his stepmother cheating on his father. Myra had to become comfortable with her orientation. Lisa had to realize that first love was just a crush and could only be a crush. Nora had to come to the conclusion that what she was doing was wrong and that she needed to be a better person. All characters grew for the better.

4.) The main scene from the book that affected me was in chapter one were Mick found e~mails on his computer proving that his step mother was cheating on his father. For each different person I felt a different emotion. I was disgusted towards Nora and her choices that she had made in life. Then for Nick I couldn't help but pondering the situation. What if that were me? What would I do? I actually went to bed that night after reading it and I couldn't even imagine the emotions that I would be undergoing finding out such horrifying news. The last emotion I felt was sympathy. Mick's father was completely oblivious to the whole state of affairs. No pun intended. I couldn't imagine your life partner cheating on you...and then the fact that you don't even know it boggles me even more.

5.) When it comes to the climax, there were actually more than one. There are two authors and the way that the6.)y write their books is actually fascinating. The chapters actually rotate back in forth between characters. The first climax was when Mick found the files on the internet. Another climax was when Janice Bledsoe's lover was found guilty of being a thief. Also a high point was when Myra revealed to Nick that she had feelings for girls. Within this story there were many different peaks. There are many stories going on at once so it is almost as if you are reading 5 books at a time!

6.) When it comes to recommendations this book, without a doubt would be in my top 5 list to advise other people to read. The two authors team up together combining the thoughts of two brains, different opinions, and double the passion. They use actual feedback from teens making the stories more realistic and efficient with the society today while keeping it so that in the next twenty years people will still understand the references to television, movies, clothes and also music. This book was based on a true story. People always find learning about other peoples' life stories intriguing so this story would fit right along those lines. Along with this book I would also suggest reading another book of theirs titled CROOKED. It as well like ZIPPED, is a very captivating story that I enjoyed and I think other teens or people of any age would feel the same.

Mick Nicholas, average teenager, loves a girl, Lisa Doyle, and has a dog name Flesh. He lived his life like an ordinary 15 year old kid, but one day his life was changed forever after school when he got home. Mick accidentally opened the wrong e-mail and found out his mom was having an affair with another guy. What should Mick do? Will he tell his dad about his mom's dirty little secret?

This book really caught my eyes in the very beginning. It jumped right into action and made me want to keep on reading. Those books are the best books that start out with some action and keep on going and not lose your feelings for the book. This book kept going and going, this book had interesting scenes that made you wonder what will happen next.

Then again not all books can be perfect. This book did have some scenes that I didn't really like. It jumped into different chapter talking about totally a different topic and then the next chapter jumped into a totally a different thing again. Those things did make the book a little confusing but over all, this book kept me interested in it all through the book.

I did love this book. Its one of the best I've ever read, because I didnt skip over any chapters, like I usually love to do in other books. My only complaint is that I saw where the Maurice storyline was going from a mile away.

The wonders of the world as seen from a child's perspective are rendered beautifully in this story. I long to visit this part of Maine to capture the same wonder as the two girls, from jumping off a rock into the bay, to the sounds heard through the fog, to an oncoming hurricane and the preparations for it. Everything is described in calm language and illustrated beautifully. Probably McCloskey's most exquisite, wonderous children's book. A child will love having this book read to them--it brings a time and place to life that all children should experience.

Being a fan of Make Way for Ducklings, I was in search of other books by Robert McCloskey when I found this gem of a book. It is gentle, lyrical and so beautiful in it's prose and artwork. My children like to listen to it at bedtime and it lulls them to sleep each time. It is a book that celebrates nature and it's beauty. It's hard for me to describe but it touches me deeply, evokes memories of my childhood camping trips in the mountains.

Great book, especially for those of us who love Maine. You can almost smell the sea air, feel the wind coming off the water and hear the gulls in the distance as you read this!

The reviewer who found this book "boring" must not have much in the way of imagination. This was one of my favorite books as a child and I still remember it fondly (I'm 38). It doesn't matter if you haven't had experiences exactly like those of the children in the book. The writing and the illustrations make you feel as if you are there. You can practically smell the sea, hear the wind and rain, and the laughter of the kids at the beach. While drawing a vivid picture of a concrete time and place, the book also invokes a sense of timelessness, as well as of "deep time" and the ancient rythyms of nature. I think my favorite moment is when one of the girls stands in a forested area on a misty morning, her eyes closed, and listens to nature awakening around her.

This is a book about taking a break from the fast-paced modern world and connecting with nature (and appreciating its power), with the past, and rediscovering your sense of wonder. Written in the mid-50's, it was ahead of its time in some ways and is definitely as relevant today as it was then, if not more so.

I read my children to sleep with this book every night. They call it their dream book since they drift off to sleep with thoughts of sand and sea in their heads. The words draw beautiful pictures.

Libby Pelletier has lived in Sheshuncook, Maine all of her life and has no intention of moving. She is taking care of her sick brother who was recently discharge from the Veteranýs Administration Hospital. Her brother has had problems with alcohol for many years and has not recuperated from his motherýs abandonment over fifty years ago. Libby is going to do what is necessary to take care of her brother. Their lives will be altered forever when a stranger comes into town.

During World War II this logging town has served as a POW camp for German soldiers. The prisoners are forced to work at Libbyýs fatherýs logging mill if they wanted to be fed. Mr. Pelletier treated the Germans well and the feelings were reciprocated. The only incident that occurred during the Germanýs incarceration involved an escaped prisoner. He was found a few days later drowned in a nearby lake. Nobody gave much thought to the incident until the Germanýs brother comes to town after all those years trying to find answers. At first Libby is apprehensive but then feels that if it were her brother she would like to know what happened. There are a group of people in town who do not want the truth to be revealed and they will do whatever it takes to keep it a secret. They threaten and hurt Libby and her family but her determination does not wane. She is going to investigate till the very end even if the truth might kill her.

White introduces the reader to a story where the wounds from the past can still linger in the present. His characters are real people facing real lives and tough choices. The past is what made Libby and we get to see that through her actions and some flashbacks. The author gives you a story that stays with you even after having finished the novel. A book that stays with you is one that others can savor.

It is the time of the first Gulf War. "Saturday morning, early. The road up ahead is quiet and dark. The headlights slice through the darkness like a sharp filet knife cutting fish. But what spills out isn't the gleaming entrails of morning but only more darkness. In the rearview mirror it closes seamlessly together again and goes on forever."

The first few sentences are a metaphor of the theme of the novel, cutting open the past and exhuming the buried crime. In the first paragraph we discover the narrator is a woman and we get the feel of the strength of her character; we learn that she is not skittish, not prone to the fear of dangers real or imagined. She is not unaware of dangers around her, such as the bears she could hear, and smell them too, "a smell as hard as axle grease."

The rest of the first chapter is packed with good things: beautiful language, moody asides, foreshadowing and subtle revelations of character. The narrator is a 61 year old woman who runs a roadside cafe that caters to truckers, loggers, hunters, and tourists. We like her immediately.

There is a nice bit about the radio, loneliness, the cover of darkness. "I slam headlong into that darkness, hoping that if I go fast enough I'll shatter it like a piece of smoked glass. And on the other side? Maybe morning."

The glass symbol is reprised later in the chapter, when the red-faced man looks in her car window at her, startling her out of a sleep, "as if I'd fallen asleep during those war years and just woke up."

Sleep is a metaphor, as it is the lack of sleep, she says, "that finally begins to hit me--makes me feel my age like a heavy woolen coat that smells of rain."

And the red-faced man has parallel symbols in "the solemn red face of the alarm clock, waiting for first light." Then later the oil light in her car comes on, "a red demon eye staring back at me." Luckily, she finds a Shell service station open, and there is an interesting exchange with the young cat-eyed man who works there. Comments on war, the control of government, the lies, the play of masculinity and femininity. And this is all in the first chapter.

The chapter ends with a reflection on Time: "Time seems to have lost its texture, is able to expand or contract, to take on new shapes like a cloud on a windy day."

The panther, cat, wolf, bear and other hunter allusions intrigue me. But all men aren't predators. Leon, for instance, has rabbit eyes.

Back to that wonderfully multi-leveled and understated scene where Libby is driving in the snow and nearly runs out of oil. Her old car has a degenerative ailment, like cancer. She finds the yellow Shell station (not a Gulf station) in the fog and the young blond man comes out to help her in orange overalls. He has nocturnal eyes too, but he works "with the slow fussy movements of a raccoon."

He checks the oil and brings the dipstick back to show her, "pointing it at her the way a matador aims a sword at a bull." But he doesn't want to hurt her, just to warn her and not just about the cancer in her car. He wears the orange overalls of the oil company, but detests the ongoing Gulf War where men are asked to die for oil.

He tells her the story of his father who fought for them in the Viet Nam war and was sprayed with Agent Orange, and got cancer from it. He is angry about this, not so much about the dying as about the lies, "We're just looking for the bastards to tell us the truth."

This thread, the individual vs. the lies of the military-industrial complex, is mocked when Libby mentions that the souvenirs she sells tourists actually come from the Smokey Mountains. "What do they know?" And the question is reprised again when Libby discusses the newsreel propaganda pictures of goose-stepping blond giants wearing swastikas and jackboots. But it turns out that these German kids look like kids anywhere. "What do we know?"

A moody windswept cover adorns the Harper edition of the book (starkly beautiful too), and I like the easy-to-read print size.

I loved this story which centers on the many human connections that play an integral part in our lives. The relationship between Libby and Leon with flashbacks to their troubled childhood in rural WWII era Maine and were extremely well done.I felt like I really knew the characthers and felt the bond they shared. As the very interesting story unfolds we see what depth these people have and learn how people handle unpleasant facts about their past. It is a story of human courage and love and touches on a fascinating period and place in American history. It is a book to be read and an author to watch.

I read this after my local group had arranged for White to speak at an annual Breakfast with the Authors event. I was immediately drawn into the story and the characters--especially the woman who tells us the story. I did not grow up in Maine but in New England and have spent a little time in rural Maine. The characters seemed so real and true to me. In thinking about the characters after reading I was particularly struck by the quality of the relationship between the siblings. Not a 'Beaver Cleaver', easy family but to me a full telling of a difficult family history and its effects for many years after. Some of the discussion at the breakfast related to the differences between this book and 'The Blind Side of the Heart' and why readers may have found that book a bit more difficult--it does not have a 'simple', clear resolution--also an excellent book. This is a book to read and savor....

I liked this novel although I don't give it great marks because I thought it was a little implausible and the working out of the plot was too mechanical. It didn't have the effortless flow of a great novel. But the atmosphere was excellent and the backwoods Maine characters (reminiscent of a kindler, gentler Deliverance) were well portrayed.

My family visited Maine last summer and absolutely loved all the fresh seafood. Being that we live in Indiana, we don't get spoiled like all the Mainers with their fresh Halibut and lobsta!
Since we can't just pick up and move to Maine (we would love too!), we have to rely on bits and pieces of Maine. This is where this book comes in!
These are very "easy-to-follow" recipes that have ingredients you can find in any store.
We love the lobster rolls! And just can't pass up the chowder!
This really is my new favorite cookbook, and I love the first part of the book, "Why has Maine life become so irresistable?". It lists all the reasons why we (and any other sane person) would want to move to Maine.
Great job Ms. Dojny! I've already ordered your other "clam shack" cookbook!

There are plenty of unique recipes here that the home chef can easily (and should) try. We are seafood eaters and are always looking for new ideas. Useful, with imaginative presentation, at an affordable price. Highly recommended.

This book confirms Brooke Dojny's authentic place among cookbook authors who have tried to capture, create, and preserve regional cuisines. Her New England Cookbook, with it's totally reliable and delicious recipes, should be on everyone's shelf, regardless of where they live. This book should be too, but it's more interesting to those of us fascinated by the food renaissance taking place in Maine -- which is exciting. As always with Dojny, the recipes are impeccable. They also are true to their heritage, both old and new, and perfectly translated for the home cook.

This book brings you all the fresh flavors of Maine: not just seafood, but fresh produce as well. The recipes are clearly written and not too high on the difficulty scale. They are flavorful and creative, but the accent is on the fresh appearance and taste of the food itself, rather than on the elaborateness of the preparation or the showmanship of the chef. Dozens of beautiful color photographs supplement the flavors and aromas to bring a little of Maine into your kitchen, where ever you are.

Covers classic Maine foods: lobsters, mussels, blueberries, and baked beans with some old style recipes and modern variations.

More interesting are numerous sidebars touching on various aspects of the growing Maine "foodie" scene. New restaurants, growers, stores, and farms are highlighted.

A few maps would have been nice,and some of the recipes might be too far from convention for traditionalists.

A must have for any "Maine-o-phile"-native or those who wished they were. I found it simply "pleasant" to read. Do yourself a favor: get some mud from the seashore, throw some sea-salt in the air, turn your TV to "Scenes of the North Atlantic," and read this book.

A wonderful book for those of us over sixty. It is an insperation, very detailed. A fun book.

A wonderful and inspiring book for anyone, but especially for women over 50. While I don't plan anything so adventurous as Ms Mass, she does inspire me to keep walking.
I especially enjoyed her writing style and her shared insights into people and culture which make this book so much more than a walker's diary.

I enjoyed the book - its always been a dream of mine to go on such a journey. I'm not much of a reader but since I got the 1st book
written about the APT I have not missed many of the books. I also have
one of the tapes (Trek) & enjoyed that too. I'm 68 & wished I'd known
about the APT long before I got so elderly. It still excites me & I can't hardly stop reading when I get a new book, this one is very satifying & so full of hope. Thanks

I've read 4 books on hiking the AT. This one I liked the least. Author complained a lot about how difficult it was. Left me almost depressed about the prospect of hiking the trail.

Leslie Mass hiked the Appalachian Trail at 60. Her book is one of my favorite accounts of hiking the Appalachian Trail. She is a college administrator, wife and mother who managed to fit a flip-flop hike into her work schedule. Since childhood, Mass had been told to speak softly and accomodate herself to others. On her hike she learned to value her own opinion and one of life's biggest lessons: sometimes it is not so bad to be alone and hike your own hike. She made elaborate plans to hike parts of the trail with friends and family. You can tell that she was very accustomed to being close to other people, part of a very social world. In spite of this, she writes that she always knew she was an introvert. Her biggest lesson from the trail was to trust in herself, rather than going along with someone else who forced her into the role of "follower". On the trail, she made friends with several other hikers, one of whom took way too much interest in Mass' daughter, Amy, before even meeting her. He basically took over Mass' hike, and made her miserable. When Amy joined her mother on the trail, he attached himself to her. He didn't seem to be the most stable character, even making remarks about which man hiking the trail Mass had selected for her daughter. Creepy. I hope nothing bad came of this. Dog lovers might get some negative vibes: Mass obviously HATES dogs!

This book does not disappoint. It is written in Mr Heinrick's usual style which puts complex scientific information into language the average person can understand. He doesn't dumb it down; he explains how a process works by giving first hand observations and his opinions. It was as if I was sitting with him in his woods. He explained the science behind our ordinary observations-why some trees are tall and other not, how they grow from center and lateral buds and how that can show age for example. This is a very enjoyable book for the nature/outdoors reader. I learned much from it and had a good time doing it.

I am always on the lookout for books that demonstrate a naturalist's mind to my students. I have often used May Watt's Reading the Landscape of America, which is still a classic in the genre. This semester I will be using The Trees in My Forest.

It is nothing short of a pleasure to follow Heinrich as he muses on the trees, their guests, their prey and their admirers in his forest. Heinrich takes the reader into the mystery of puzzling about why something happens one way and not another, suggesting possible answers where he has them, admitting his befuddlement when he doesn't. All aspects of tree life in the forest are covered, from seeding and germination to damage and decomposition. All attendant forms of life, from mycorrhizae to humans, are woven into the picture as well. The book also contains beautiful color sketches of various buds, leaves, fruits, twigs and fungi.

If you were ever looking for a smooth and pleasurable introduction to forest ecology - or just a good read about a good mind/heart still climbing trees many years after his boyhood, this is the place to turn.

This thoughtfully entertaining volume reports a close look at three hundred acres of Maine -- a forest ecosystem and the many lives it contains and impacts. Just over two decades before this writing, Heinrich returned to his native state and bought an old farm near his boyhood home. The grown scientist revisits childhood memories, seeing the whole and the parts with deeper understanding. He shares profound insights into biology and interdependence, evolution and population dynamics. Each essay follows a different strand of the web of lives: mice, mushrooms, sapsuckers, giant trees and tiny clubmosses each held up for a closer look. Heinrich seems more resigned to "progress" than I will ever be, and more optimistic about the future of our forests, but his lucid observations deepened my appreciation of the subtlety of natural systems and their ability to adapt. I could not agree more with his observation that "a vision of eco-system as life is a common thread that, if taught and encouraged, could unite all of mankind."

This book is an informal introduction to the science of trees. Heinrich, known for his studies on animal behavior, originally trained in forest ecology. In this book, he provides a general introduction to many aspects of forest ecology. Starting from the acreage surrounding his cabin in Northern Maine, Heinrich considers many different aspects of the trees he encounters there, from the overgrown apple orchards to oaks and pines, from tree evolution to tree geometry and tree reproduction. In addition to the trees, he also examines other elements of the forest ecosystem, including fungi, birds, and insects. End material includes a checklist of trees found in Northern Maine and an extensive list of references. The book is illustrated with black-and-white drawings and a set of color plates, all drawn by Heinrich. This is an excellent introduction to forest ecology suitable for general readers and beginning naturalists alike.

Bernd Heinrich's abilities in acute perception are well portrayed in this book. He possesses extensive scientific training and research in natural conditions - having published on bees, ravens and geese. This account ties much of that research to a wider view of those animals' home territories. It's a study of the patches of woods surrounding his home. What trees are growing there, and why? Which animals and birds are attracted to the area, and what keeps them away? What's the value of a forest fire, and is "machine logging" more destructive to the forest environment than the more traditional felling and dragging? All these and more questions are addressed here with deep insight and related with Heinrich's fine expressive powers. It may not be too much to say that if you own but one book on trees and forest environments, this is the one to have.

Raised in rural Maine, Heinrich returned in 1977 and restored a 122-hectare bush near his early home. Heinrich describes himself as "partly arboreal", but adds to that a weighty talent for patience. As he has demonstrated in other books, he can sit for hours observing birds and insects. Trees require a different sort of patience; one that needs the additional dedication to record changes over lengthy time periods. He studies their growth and how they spread their offspring around the land. Which trees are shade-tolerant and which need extensive sunlight? Which ones encourage certain insects or birds, and how. Which ones attract them and how? He describes the way trees draw water from the ground - a molecule at a time at the leaf end, not "pumped" from below. Consider the evolutionary steps that led a species of pine to retain its seeds until very special conditions ensue. The cone housing them pops open and disperses them only when the temperature reaches 60 degrees - heat that can only be generated by a forest fire.

We all abhor the destructive force of a forest fire, but that's only because we fail to consider the forest from the tree's longer perspective. As trees die and fall, new patches of soil are exposed to the sun, bringing in species competing for resources. Fire is the only way to cleanse the forest floor and eliminate some trees shading others. As recovery species emerge, moose and other browser species again populate the forest. More birds and small mammals also arrive, extending the diversity but also acting as tree predators. Heinrich's account of how trees control predation is enlightening. One is tempted to ask whether a tree "thinks". As he makes clear, however, the control is part of the co-evolutionary process of a tree and its environment.

Logging is another intrusion on forests and Heinrich is scathing at how the industry handles the forest. Centred on the ubiquitous white pine, lumbering his area goes back to the early colonial period. At one time Bangor, Maine, was the greatest lumber shipping port in the world - in thirty years its population jumped from 277 to over fourteen thousand. "Clear-cutting" does more than just remove trees. It destroys the foundation of mycorrhizal fungi that are part of the tree's nutritional network. The replacement of felled trees by plantations of single types denies the development of the proper ecological balance a true forest requires to flourish. The next generation of trees is shorter and less robust than those first taken. On the other hand, Heinrich notes the differing impact on the forest when trees are felled and removed by horse, dragged out on a skid or both felled and removed by a huge mechanism. The giant "cutter-buncher" was the least environmentally damaging!

Heinrich's prose style, which, translated into classroom lectures surely keeps attendance high, gives the reader a sense of being right in company during his wanderings and watchings. Under his deft touch, the word "ecology" rises above the status of "environmentalist" buzzword. Without ever using the term, he demonstrates the importance of understanding the interacting of all the parts of a forest, from microbes to arboreal giants. The reader isn't overwhelmed by technicalities, but the science of his account permeates every page. Add to that expressive ability, the detailed drawings, images of trees and their components, capped by sweeping aerial photographs all provide the panorama a forest requires to tell its story completely. Heinrich provides the narrative, but it's the forest itself dictating the account. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

I really enjoy reading this series of books and I have yet to read one of Leslie Meier's books that I didn't like. I read this book years ago and recently reread it again. My only complaint about this book is the CONSTANT references to her breastfeeding her baby. And by constant, I mean every few pages is something about her breastfeeding Zoe. I am a mother of a toddler and I can't stomach women who are militant about breastfeeding, so maybe that's why this bugged me so much.

Other than that, I really liked this book and all of the other books in this series.

This book is an entertaining mystery. A crazy arsonist is detroying historical buildings. An innocent person dies in one of the houses. We have to find out who is doing it and why they are doing it.

I loved the Halloween setting that this book had. I enjoyed the pumpkin patch, the pumpkin carving, the orange cupcakes, the kids' costumes, the Halloween party, and the kids having Halloween fun.

I LOVED the family. The family was so cozy and warm. I loved the parents: Bill and Lucy; and also the children: Toby, Elizabeth, Sara, and Zoe. I loved the fact that Lucy had a newborn baby that she was nursing. I also loved her relationship with her other children and with her husband. She was a stay-at-home mom and wife and I absolutely loved her.

If you like mysteries, a Halloween setting, and a cozy old-fashioned family, then this book is for you.

This is the first book of this series that I have read. I will definitely come back for more. I want to visit this family again.

I read it a while back and lost the book. I searched high and low and finally found it on Amazon. It's one of my favorites, as it's lighthearted and what they consider a cozy mystery. I like the characters and the setting.

This novel was a real mystery. At first I thought I knew who did it. But then I had other suspects. All the while I was afraid for Lucy's home and family. I kept thinking her house would be next in line for arson. The ending was a real surprise.

Miss Tilley is an interesting character. Luckily things turned out well for her in spite of what happened to her.

I can't wait to read the next one in this series!

If you are looking fora suspensful book, I would pick this one. In Maine, Lucy Stone, the mother of three kids is preparing food for the town Halloween festival in Tinker Cove. She has a brand new baby, a little girl, and a 12-year-old son. There is a criminal loose. He is setting fires in buildings and burning them down. He sets a fire on the towns oldest home; everybody wants to know who the criminal is! Will they catch the criminal? Read Trick or Treat Murder, and believe me, you will be satisfied.