Vermont Books

The author has produced a very readable and accurate view of this vanishing American. I am unaware of any comparable book on the subject and I recommend it highly. Furman has obviously expended a huge amount of time in research, interviews and time spent in the field with other top experts. Very informative and entertaining. I will give it a prominent place in my nature library and believe anyone interested in ecology should obtain a copy.

With Touring Vermont's Scenic Roads: A Comprehensive Guide, native Vermonter Ken Aiken proves a splendid guide to Vermont's most spectacular roads showcasing Vermont's quintessential New England scenery, lovely farms and villages, historic sites, beautiful and awe-inspiring mountains -- all absolutely free from billboard road sign pollution. Touring Vermont's Scenic Roads is enhanced for the cyclists or motorist with fascinating histories, anecdotes, and glimpses of local color -- and provides precise road directions providing a true sense of Vermont's scenic splendor and New England charm. If you are touring Vermont for business or pleasure, don't leave home without your very own copy of Touring Vermont's Scenic Roads.

As a frequent visitor to Vermont I was amazed at how beautifully this book captured the essence of the Vermont hills and scenary. Gaal Shepherd's pastels are excuisite and I share her love for the Green Mountain State. If you have ever been to Vermont you should get a copy of this book for your home. If you haven't been to Vermont then this book will make you want to go, and soon.

The hills are alive with the sounds of laughter and love in this charming story. The love of friendship, between a hopeless romantic and a skeptic, the love of location for the beautiful countryside of Vermont, with its mountains and valleys, friendly people and lore and for romantic love not yet found but hoped for.

Throughout the story, the love and knowledge of Vermont shines through the writing of D. Mongulla. The hometown characters are blended well with the upscale life and living of the newer Vermont. She has painted the beauty and grace that can only been found in rural country areas. If you have ever been to this great state, this story will remind you of why Vermont is such a beautiful state, and why it draws you to its beauty of the land and the people. With her writing, you can feel yourself walking into the Woodstock Inn, looking at the roaring fire and relaxing in the warmth. You are there for the sociability of après ski at Killington and the fields of Quechee take on a life of their own during the Balloon Fest.

This story will keep you laughing with the characters and in suspense with the mystery in Quechee. A good read in front of a warm fire on a cold winter night.

A continuation of the adventures of Snow and Emily as they search for true love in Vermont. This time, they travel to Stowe, meeting some very interesting people along the way. Life is always a surprise with the people and places of Vermont beckoning you. Enjoy their mystery ride through the Green Mountain State. A fun read.

Spalding did a fabulous job letting Proctor Swallow speak for himself. He was funny, annoying, informative, prejudice, sarcastic, yet lovable. I couldn't wait to read his next letter to find out if he prevailed. The author successfully blended historical fact with a primary source to tell the story of the 7th Vermont. What an interesting story....when will the film be released?

The Two Brothers New Children's Book Rockets Series to Prominence by J.B. McKinley

William Jaspersohn, Vermont author, has scored a 10 on whatever scale you choose to rate a children's book. His latest title, The Two Brothers, is a tale of immigration to Vermont and of reunion. It is an evocative and moving story that differs from the experience of so many who came to America, only in its surprise ending. The action moves along fast enough to capture and keep the attention of youngsters and the vocabulary does not talk down to anyone. Jaspersohn gives us clues to the casualness of immigration officials, sketches the weather and seasons of Vermont, and lets the reader glimpse the wonder of a new life in a new country - where hard work is still a constant, but anything can, and does, happen. As you read the book to your child, you will toss on the "rough and cruel" sea crossing; you can easily imagine the work on the Tucker Hill Farm - sugaring, plowing, cutting firewood and, finally fence building. It is this last activity in springtime, years after "Henry" immigrates, that brings us to the final happy meeting of brothers. But it is the unique format of The Family Heritage Series that tells us the two brothers actually lived and were the forebears of Vermont's Commissioner of Agriculture. The story is based on archives kept at the Vermont Folklife Center, in Middlebury. The idea for the series, which Jaspersohn's instant classic will undoubtedly catapult into importance in the world of children's literature, was first conceived about five years ago by Jane Beck, folklorist and director at the Folklife Center. She wanted to share the family stories collected and housed in Middlebury. "Family stories are tremendously important," she said. "Our best hope for the Family Heritage Series is that will not only bring to light some of the fascinating true stories that exist in families, but also serve as a catalyst for children to dig up - and value - their own family's stories." On the book's last page, children are urged to uncover family tales and are given easy, specific directions to become authors of their own family book. "It reminds us that everybody and every family has a story to tell," said Bill Jaspersohn. "The power of these kinds of stories is as great as the stories of Hollywood or the songs of...Britney Spears...they help all of us understand the American experience." The Two Brothers will be included on a soon to be published list of classic New England children's books compiled by Yankee Magazine. The book makes the top 40, with company such as Blueberries for Sal. "It's cool!" said Jaspersohn of making the list. The fact is, his book hadn't even officially been for sale by the time he made the list. "To be part of that kind of list is a big honor," admitted Jaspersohn. But what he likes most about his book is that "It's a form of giving power to kids." He believes including the last page of author and publisher instruction for kids is key. "We all have a hunger for the past." He believes we all instinctively feel the past holds lessons for us. But, the message is that books "don't drop out of the sky - they come from real people," said Jaspersohn. Actually, one could come from your child.

This monograph includes 99 ironworks sites (45 remains), 71 charcoal making sites (18 remains) and 118 lime kiln sites (93 remains). The introductions to the iron- and charcoal-making chapters thoroughly cover the historic development of methods and corresponding structures. The remarkable size of these almost unknown industries is astonishing. Also of interest is the discussion of the historic potash industry. The word "monograph" implies dry academic language, but this work manages to be both academic and sufficiently well-written to be easy reading. Unfortunately, some of the mining terminology and limestone chemistry is obsolete, and difficult for non-specialists to understand. Since Rolando describes the remains in detail, the book can be used as a guide for folks who like to poke around in the woods looking for historic remains.

I like what Searls has done here. He gives an excellent analysis into what has shaped the modern Vermonter's psyche by exposing the dichotomy between the agrarian/rural vs. urban. The author does this by examining Vermont during one of America's most significant eras - post Civil War and pre WWI. In doing so, Searls has authored an interesting book that is a "must read" for all of those with even a passing interest in Vermont history. Indeed, all Vermonters should read this book.

Wow, I just read this book and I can't say enough great things about it. I haven't read anything like it that gives the same kind of attention to detail and fun facts here and there. Those little tidbits make it unique, just as the individual student perspective (and quotes from anonymous students) do. There is such a wealth of information on everything in the campus culture from athletics, to computers, to guys and girls. Everyone interested in the University of Vermont should read this book as soon as they can.