England Books

The only complaint I have about this book it its paper, which is "bible thin." The tales and sketches from all of Hawthorne's collections are included here, along with 16 previously uncollected stories. If you've read any of Hawthorne's more popularly anthologized tales, you will be amazed at the eloquence and quality of these lesser known jems.

If Library of America had never published another book, this one alone would have justified their existence and earned them the gratitude of readers everywhere. Nearly 1,500 pages of what is arguably the best prose ever published by an Ameican writer.

I am sappy enough to enjoy Hawthorne the most in old editions, the older the better. But the stories are the same, no matter whether you're reading them in a dusty 19th century edition of _Mosses from an Old Manse_ or in this state-of-the-art omnibus edition, which includes all of Hawthorne's tales and sketches arranged chronologically, with brief bibliographic and biographic essays and a few explanatory notes. Take it on vacation with you some summer and experience it for yourself.

This is the best selection to buy of Hawthorne's short stories because it is NOT a selection, it is complete and, if you believe the editor, it's actually more accurate in its assessment of what is and is not a Hawthorne story than some complete collections because he did not include here some stories that his co-editors on the Hawthorne Centenary Edition did want to include. (Hawthorne spent much of his career as an underpaid and unsung magazine writer and some of his work went with no byline and without reprinting at his own choice, so what he wrote is no easy matter to decide.) The stories are, you probably know if you're looking up this book, stark and wonderful. But some of them are also twee and a little fanciful and not so wonderful. That too is instructive. One very useful thing about this volume is that it includes a listing of when each story first saw print in magazine form and when in book form. In that way the reader can chart Hawthorne's development as a magazine writer and a professional which in every possible sense of the word he determined to become and despite some difficult odds finally was. Some of the most beautiful and terrifying stories in the language and a beautiful object to hold in your hand. Expensive, but if you can get it - this is the one to buy.

An excellent book
A treasure of Hawthorne
A must have for any library

I was slightly surprised when I noted how thick Claire Hopley's New England Cooking is. I grew up in New England, and somehow I hadn't come away with the impression that there were that many regional recipes to delve into. Nor have I seen this many recipes in other books that concentrate on that region.

Ms. Hopley found so many recipes by stretching well past the obvious, stereotypical New England recipes such as clam chowder or apple pie with cheddar. She explores cookery from all corners of New England, both modern and historical.

The mushroom lasagna, for instance, is an unusual take on a hearty favorite. It's clever and delicious, and quite easy to make. There are simple bean salads; cheddar and potato soup ("a tradition in Vermont"); notes on New England cheeses; Shaker recipes; cobblers of all types; the oh-so-necessary strawberry shortcake; plenty of seafood recipes for fish and shellfish alike; and more. Whether it's a dish that uses a New England-favorite ingredient such as berries or cheddar, or a dish that's been served in a New England state for years, you'll probably find it in here somewhere. The fare is homey and comforting, yet creative and elegant. It combines the best of tradition and invention.

The layout is clear and easy to make sense of; recipe notes often include background tidbits relevant to New England. If you're looking for a source of New England recipes, or just want a cookbook filled with homey-yet-elegant fare, this is a fine option.

New England Cooking: Seasons & Celebrations is a wonderful compilation of outstanding dishes that draw from a distinctive regional culinary tradition. The very chapters headings conjure up images of gustatory delight: First Harvests; The Wanderers' Return; Spring Holidays; Beside the Sea; Berry Season; Shakes & Gardeners; Heritage Days; Harvest Festivals; Wine, Beer & Cider in New England; Thanksgiving; Party Time; Cold Weather Fun; and Once A Year. From Smoked Scallop Crostini with Radish Butter; Peppered Tuna with Sweet Potato Puree; Nantucket Portuguese Bread; and Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with a Gingernut Crust; to Muireann Glenmullen's Cranberry-Nut Soda Bread; Apple-Raisin Hand Pies; Cider-Baked Winter Vegetables; and Indian Pudding, New England Cooking offers superb recipes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite.

I received this book as a gift and have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. What distinguishes it from many cookbooks I've seen is that it includes detailed commentary on the origins of and traditions relating to various dishes and ingredients. This level of information creates a context for the recipes that most cookbooks fail to provide. It also makes the book a good read for someone who is too busy to cook or who is more interested in learning about New England cooking than actually trying recipes.

The book contains a wide variety of recipes. The author has included recipes for several standard favorites and has also come up with many creative "twists" on otherwise familiar dishes. I appreciate this mix. I've already tried several enjoyable recipes and plan to try others in the near future.

Claire Hopley has created a well-orchestrated, easy-to-use book on New England cuisine that is a must-have for both the casual and expert chef interested in the foods of the region. The book's plethora of recipes include many, many colorful pictures and, most impressively, interesting stories and histories of many of the tasty meals. Miss Hopley is an excellent writer, blessed with a keen ability to instruct through words without oppressing the reader with minutia. As a New Englander and a huge fan of her food publications in the local newspapers (e.g Boston Globe), I highly recommend her work and especially this book.

Very highly recommended to all genealogy researchers, whether novice or expert, New England Court Records: A Research Guide For Genealogists And Historians by Diane Rapaport (former trial lawyer with a B.A. in History and a J.D. degree in Law) is an in-depth 470-page collective study of the locations and contributions of New England's facilities and resources which would historians and genealogical researchers to better understand the history and citizenship of New England. Introducing the reader to a detailed description of each facility, along with contact and location information, and employing an easy-to-use format exploring a state, county, and city/township locator reference ideal. A major work that could well serve as a template for other regions of the country, New England Court Records is a thoroughly "user friendly" reference ideal for the purposes of genealogists and local historians researching the New England area.

This is a timely and wonderful reference work. For those interested in uncovering information about seventeenth-century New England ancestors, this is an excellent resource guide. As many family researchers know, court records for the 1600s are one of three important sources of genealogical information, the others being vital records(town and church)and wills. The early settlers were litigious, being able to file their complaints easily and cheaply in the courts, without lawyers. Hence, there is a wealth of family information in these court files -- often highly amusing.

Rapaport, a former trial lawyer, has worked for years as a legal practitioner with court records. This thorough and important work on a little known subject, outside the legal profession, will become a standard for genealogists and historians. For the first time, we have an extensive but readable guide to the intricacies of the often surprising riches found in court records. She provides an overview of the American legal system, the specifics of New England courts, types of court records, and where to look for them in each of the states, county by county.

This book is a must-purchase for any serious genealogical library, personal or professional.

It is so well organized, it will be handy for many future projects. I am impressed with its depth of coverage and its human tone with what could be an unfriendly presentation. Thanks immensely for putting this reference into the hands of those of us scrambling for answers to our New England genealogical puzzles.

This book gives very concise and complete directions to the locations of the places listed. Not only was I able to find every location that I wanted to see and with little or no problem, but also there were good places to eat and other things to do along the way.The accuracy in the distances from the starting points to the destinations is so good that with care there is almost no chance of getting lost. Obviously the authors took great care to be accurate in their discriptions and directions and have written a book that is a real joy to use. I look forward to using other guides by the same authors as I know the will be correct in their information.

This is the best series of travel books about New England that I have found. It is easy to read with information I haven't found in other travel books. The New Hampshire book didn't disappoint. It is up to the standard I expect from this series.

This book gives very concise and complete directions to the locations of the places listed. Not only was I able to find every location that I wanted to see and with little or no problem, but also there were good places to eat and other things to do alone the way.The accuracy in the distances from the starting points to the destinations is so good that with care there is almost no chance of getting lost. Obviously the authors took great care to be accurate in their discriptions and directions and have written a book that is a real joy to use. I look forward to using other guides by the same authors as I know the will be correct in their information.

Spent a week in the White Mtns and used the book extensively. Most interesting was "discovering" the old Mineral Springs resort in Conway. Book was well written, concise maps and directions were very clear. This book, combined with a good road map and a general guidebook make touring NH very enjoyable.

Our daughter is delighted with the book. It arrived in time for Christmas. I ordered it the Friday before Christmas after having been notified the other book I had ordered was not available. Much to my utter surprise i received this book on Christmas Eve!

Jane came to Dallas to speak to the women associated with The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. I was lucky enough to have Jane stay with me for the occasion. The event was a sell-out, and Jane a tremendous hit with all in attendance. No one knows tea like Jane!

IF you have even the remotest interest in tea, it's place in world history, tea etiquette, etc., THIS is the only book you need. It will sell out. [...] I currenly own nearly 60 books on tea, but this is, by far, the best. Varieties, color, taste, brewing, all the essencial information is here.

If you are looking specifically for information on etiquette, afternoon teas, etc. then her SOCIAL HISTORY OF TEA is your 'cup of tea.' That is just as essential to method as this is to taste and brewing. With both, you have all you really need unless you are an true addict, like me!

Simple and straight-forward guide to worldwide teas. Got this as a gift for a new tea lover....fun to look up where each tea is from and how it's harvested. Great gift idea.

This book is a great beginner's introduction to the world of tea, with the exception of the chapter on the history of tea, which I found to be incomplete, if not historically inaccurate. The insinuation was that the tea-opium trade problem was all due to the British, when the reality was that the Chinese were not easy to deal with. I think perhaps the best feature of this book is the discussion of the different types of teas, how they are processed, and especially the many excellent pictures which show the differences in how various teas look, as well as suggestions for proper serving and brewing.

For a much more detailed and interesting discussion of tea history, read James Norwood Platt's New Tea Lover's Treasury. His discussions of the differences in taste among the various types and blends of tea were also more interesting to me than in The New Tea Companion (although more opinionated as well, but I have found Mr. Pratt's tasting comments to be generally "spot on").

This book represents a rare combination of keen insight, brilliantly clever writing, and effective layout. As you can tell, I really liked it. We had a much better NYC vacation with our children because of this book!

I (like many) have been to NYC many, many times. But, going with children is a whole new experience. This book is helpful because it mentions things many visitors wouldn't know (Did you know there was a monorail in the Bronx zoo?). Great book!

This book is pretty helpful for those weekend 'what do you feel like doing' moments. I have lived in NY my whole life, (30 years) and had never been to the (mini) zoo in Queens. It lists some pretty cool places to go and see, with accurate and updated descriptions. If you have kids, and live in NY, you need this book.

You will no longer have any excuse for being bored on a rainy day (or a sunny day either!) I recently took my 5 year old to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island without first checking to see what information this book offered. BAD MOVE! My son was tired of waiting on the long lines, bored with static exhibits, hungry, hot, etc. If I had checked with New York's 50 Best Places to Take Children I would have found out that there is a 90 minute tour boat that goes past the Statue of Liberty. My son would have seen the statue without the long, tiring lines to wait on just to go to the top of the pedestal (we weren't early enough to go to the crown). Mr. Ishac has captured the best attractions the big apple has to offer a child from the kid's point of view. The book is small enough to carry in a pocket while acting like a tourist; even if you have lived in NY all of your life like I have. Included in the featured attractions are the usual favorites such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Empire State building plus some unusual and obscure spots such as the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. Now I just have to try and find the time to visit all of these great places.

It is unusual for a history to be visually engaging or for a coffee table book to have intellectual content. This is one of the very rare books published today that is both beautiful and brainy.

In the late 17th century the idea of religious freedom was an alien idea not only around the world but here in the North American too. In Massachusetts they were hanging people for the high crime of being Quakers ( I kid you not...).

This book tells the story (in an extremely readable fashion) of the rare circumstances that led to the rise of the concept of religious freedom in a town that is now an out of the way genteel resort, but which was in its day one of the most important early American settlements.

As intellectually engaging as it is interesting, this book is a great acquisition for anyone interested in American history, colonial architecture or religious freedom. In this day and age, with the challenges facing the country and world, a reminder of the great benefits of religious tolerance could not be better timed or more needed.

I've actually bought 2 of these books for Xmas gifts. They were recommended by the captain of a sailboat we chartered in Newport, R.I. I have not removed the plastic wrapping, but our captain highly recommended the book for anyone who enjoys R.I. The cover is beautiful. I would buy as a coffee table book just for that! A perfect gift for those people who have everything. Newport: A Lively Experiment 1639-1969

Although this looks like another expensive coffee table book, it's also a very well-written and drama filled history of America's founding and revolution and development with Newport as the orientation point. The hardships of 17th century life, the privations of the Revolution, are described in living detail, as well as the resort life of the nineteenth century when Newport became the Queen of Resorts. If you've ever been to Newport or Rhode Island and liked it, a must. Many thanks for Gilbert Kahn and John Noffo Kahn for supporting the research for what has turned out to be a hard-to-put-down history book. Beautifully written and illustrated with primary sources.

This is a beautiful art book quality edition of the history of Newport, Rhode Island. I can't think of many small towns that deserve such a lavishly produced volume, especially one with a present-day population of fewer than 30,000 people. However, this small community had a very large impact on the ideas of religious freedom and civil government.

While this book has many beautiful reproductions of paintings of the town, portraits of people who played a part in Newport's history, maps, photographs, and other illustrations, it is also a book of well-written text. The author is Rockwell Stensrud whose background as a novelist and journalist has prepared him well for this project. "Newport - a Lively Experiment" is published by the Redwood Library, which is more than 250 years old and the oldest lending library in the United States. This is a volume to be proud of. Anyone interested in Newport, Rhode Island, Colonial America, and the how this town came through its ups and downs from its founding in 1639 until today should get a copy for their library.

The founding of Newport is fascinating and covered well in this book. The subtitle of the book, a lively experiment, comes from the charter granted by Charles II on July 8, 1663. It refers to its being a living experiment that "a most flourishing civil state may stand and best be maintained, and that among our English subjects, with a full liberty in religious concernments; and that true piety rightly grounded upon gospel principles, will give the best and greatest security to sovereignty, and will lay in the hearts of men the strongest obligations to true loyalty ..."

As noted earlier, Newport was founded in 1639 by nine men who are still well remembered in the history the city today (all the streets and places named after them sure help). There were jealousies, conflicts, and lots of energy. About half of this book covers the colonial and Revolutionary periods. Newport flourished until the destructive activity of the Revolutionary War heavily involved the city. It had recovered by the mid-nineteenth century and near the turn of the twentieth, it had become favored among the ultra wealthy. There are still many beautiful mansions there today. However, the structures of the founding were fast disappearing. There was also a hurricane in 1938.

About this time, Doris Duke and others decided to do what they could to preserve and restore what they considered to be treasures. At the time, not many others did. Now we all enjoy seeing the fruits of their hard work and expenditures.

This is a very richly done, informative, and enjoyable book of American history.

Like many struggling young actresses before her, Martyn Tarne has a private fantasy of stepping in for a leading lady taken ill. In true Ngaio Marsh style, Martyn's dream is made a reality, in a twisted way; having just missed an audition at the Vulcan, Martyn wangles a job involved with another show set to open in a few days - as the leading lady's dresser, since Helena Hamilton's regular dresser just went into hospital. Martyn, a New Zealander who was robbed upon arriving in England, is alone and broke, and thankful to get *any* job until she can get on her feet - even at the Vulcan, where her mother's immensely famous cousin Adam Poole is both leading man and director.

The small cast and other Vulcan personnel involved in the production feature quite a few mirror images and parallels in their situations and their relationships with each other. In several scenes, actual reflecting surfaces underline this - shop windows as Martyn trudges to a late audition, a picture under glass of one character that reflects another, and so on.

Martyn doesn't want to establish herself on the London stage solely on the strength of her relationship with Poole - but she's ideally suited for a supporting role in the play requiring a woman who strongly resembles the lead. By contrast, Gay Gainsford, cast for the part on her uncle's insistence, requires heavy makeup and acting skills outside her scope, and is as prone to hysterical outbursts about her loathing for the play even as Martyn tries to fade into the woodwork and hang onto her job. Both women's relationships with older men in the company result in protective and sometimes over-protective reactions as clashes occur in the high-pressure atmosphere of the last few rehearsals and opening night.

As for the men associated with the Vulcan, Clark Bennington, Gay's uncle, is a once-fine actor now in a supporting role as an alcoholic both on stage and in life. On a particularly galling note, he seems to be playing second fiddle to Adam Poole in his marriage as well as his career - Helena Hamilton, the leading lady, has a career that eclipses Bennington's and tends to inspire devotion in most men, though she seems to collect only the young and artistic variety. Most of the other men on the scene apparently don't qualify, being either too old (her devoted admirer Jacques, the director's assistant; Gay's admirer Darcey, supporting player; the crabby playwright Dr. Rutherford) or ambiguous. All the men except Jacques and Poole do their bit to make the situation worse - even the playwright, whose "helpful" feedback is loaded with unprofessional attacks on the junior members of the cast, driving them almost to the point of breakdown when he isn't tactfully headed off.

The story plays out in a very compressed space and timeframe, set almost entirely within the walls of the Vulcan and mostly upon the opening night of THUS TO REVISIT, whose first performance ends with the discovery of the body of a member of the company; the investigation is wrapped up before daybreak.

I recommend James Saxon's unabridged recording of the text; Marsh's stories tend to function very well when performed, and this is no exception.

Drive in totals:
- Two deaths (poison); a third from a previous incident in the same theatre is referred to. (The Vulcan is not the same theatre as the Dolphin, which appears in other stories).
- One sexual assault (off camera, referred to indirectly).
- One openly homophobic character; it's made clear that that's only one of many unpleasant aspects of his rude, bullying personality.
- A character from A SURFEIT OF LAMPREYS turns up as a young constable.
- This story isn't about Alleyn, really; he serves to bring the truth of events and various motivations of the real main characters to light. Alleyn's personal life and family aren't a factor.

There's never a dull moment at The Vulcan Theatre--especially when a starving actress named Martyn Tarne walks into the job of dresser for the show's leading lady. What with a gifted but nasty author, an alcoholic actor, a hysterical bit player, and a host of other neurotics, opening night is more unnerving than usual. In fact, it's pure murder, and Inspector Alleyn is soon on the scene.

Ngaio Marsh is one of the great mystery novelists of the 20th Century, and she is particularly known for her skill at creating believable characters in memorable settings. But she is also uniquely gifted at portraying the complex world of the theatre, a task she takes on in several novels but never better than here. Marsh captures the contrast between the out-front-glamor and the backstage hysteria with the knowledge of an insider (she was, in fact, a theatrical director herself), and in VULCAN she offers a remarkably accurate, powerful vision.

Although it is occasionally beset by some of Marsh's less admirable tendencies, NIGHT AT THE VULCAN is easily among the best of the best, a novel that will not only fascinate you with it's look behind the grand curtain, but keep you guessing in terms of plot as well. Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Who would've thought that so many murders could occur in theatres? But then again, it's all a case of life imitating art, and no one does this better than Ngaio Marsh. It's not surprising when you realize that she was a stage director/producer in New Zealand. _Night at the Vulcan_ beautifully captures the atmosphere unique to the theatre, while laying out a very clever case of murder made to look like suicide. This is all told through the eyes of Martyn Tarne, a young lady newly arrived to the London theatre scene, making it all the more interesting. The only reason that I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5, was that the identity of the murderer became a little too obvious, in my opinion, but all in all, a fantastic read.

Night at the Vulcan has everything; sympathetic (and endearing) characters, lots of Shakespearean quotes, realistic dialogue, two very different (but equally satisfying) love stories, gorgeous prose...all of the things I read Ngaio for. The character of Martyn Tarne is one I wish Ngaio had re-used in a later book (like she did with some characters from "Death of a Peer" and "Killer Dolphin.").

Ngaio Marsh is my favorite author, and Night at the Vulcan is my favorite Ngaio Marsh. 'Nuff said.

This is another pleasant story of life in England by Miss Read. Her books are unique because she's able to take the reader into a world, where life seems ordinary, but somehow, totally interesting.

Miriam Quinn has never married. She's a kind, but unsentimental lady. By today's standards, she's still young, but fifty years ago she would have been called an old maid! She's an efficient office manger and has a well ordered life that she enjoys. Her plans to spend a quiet and unadorned Christmas holiday painting her new home are abruptly interrupted. Her brother, a minister with a busy schedule calls upon her to come and help out his family. His wife is in the hospital and he needs someone to care for his two children.

Her winter holiday turns out to be filled with her duties as chief cook, housekeeper and substitute mother for her two nieces. She meets the challenge, but gains new respect for her sister-in-law when she realizes the amount of work that a young mother has to do. Miriam also makes a wonderful Christmas for everyone and meets an old friend from her past.

I enjoyed reading about some of the English Christmas traditions and recommend this story for a cozy Christmas read.

How could anyone who loves to read resist a book by someone named Miss Read? I discovered Miss Read last year in a Christmas display at the library and have now read ten of her books. Miss Read is the kind of writer you want to read lying in a hammock on a summer day or wrapped in an afghan on a winter evening or in the spring or fall when the sun is making patterns on your wallpaper.

There are no dysfunctional people among Miss Read's characters, no sex, and no crime. But these omissions do not make Miss Read's stories sappy or sentimental. Miss Read's characters are ordinary people living ordinary lives, and they are delightful. Her stories are completely satisfying and full of simple pleasures. (This sounds disgusting, doesn't it?) But Miss Read has a bit of an edge that keeps her characters from becoming excessively sweet.

If you like Jan Karon, you may like Miss Read. I myself could not read Jan Karon because she was too treacly.

I have read this book more times than I can remember!Every Christmas I read it and it warms my heart. Miss Quinn drops all she has planned to care for her brother's family at the Christmas season and rediscovers her own child hood in the process. This is truely a lovely story and I would recommend it to anyone who has lost their christmas spirit.

This is one of those genteel, easy-going books that you can read leisurely while on vacation, on a rainy night, or anytime you just need a good escape. It has a gentle pastoralism ("Beech Green...is extremely pretty, with flower-studded banks or wide grass verges, clumps of trees, and a goodly amount of hawthorn hedging") somewhat reminiscent of Kenneth Grahame's writing in "The Wind in The Willows." Although the pace is slow, and the excitement minimal, Miss Read retains your attention with her relaxing yet vigorous prose, her keen observations and precise descriptions, and her loving devotion to the English countryside and its inhabitants.

The characters and plot are somewhat predictable. Miss Quinn, a fastidious and introverted administrative assistant, rents a room in beautiful "Holly Lodge" from recently widowed Joan Benson. She hopes to settle there comfortably when she learns that her sister-in-law (of whom she is not especially fond) is in the hospital. Mrs. Miniver-like, Quinn rushes to the house and bravely takes on the house, the children, and her own prejudices about her sister-in-law. Despite her domestic triumphs and the briefly described attentions of a young man, she decides (perhaps prematurely, perhaps not) that "spinsterhood" (and no children) might best suit her temperament.

A feminist tract this is not; in fact, it seems to have been written at least two generations ago. Therein lie its appeal and its flaws. Some readers may grow frustrated (or weary) with the lack of excitement, the old-fashioned treatment of the children (the author seems to imply that the children need a slap on the arm from Miss Quinn, even though the parents don't approve), as well as an unfortunate analogy with concentration camps. They may wish that Miss Read had slightly more modern sensibilities. Other readers will likely ignore this and delight in the carefully wrought little village that is so simply and beautifully rendered.

This book gives you a glimpse into a vast wilderness region that few know, even those that live in the northeast. It is a story that encompasses the land, people, history, culture, and environmental issues.

A fantastic, well written, visually captivating reflection of the beauty of the wild places of new england...a one of a kind book and a must have.

A finalist for the 2003 Independent Publisher Award, Stephen Gorman's Northeastern Wilds: Journeys Of Discovery In The Northern Forest is a stunning tour of adventure and wonder amidst remote woodland beauty. Captivating photographs of natural beauty and unique words of wisdom, memory, and appreciation for nature's bounty distinguish this very highly recommended informative and simply beautiful pictorial "great outdoors" northeastern tour.

The Northern Forest is an area of twenty-six million acres that stretches from Adirondack Park in New York through Vermont, New Hampshire, and most of Maine. "Northern Wilds: Journeys of Discovery in the Northern Forest" consists of historical information about this area as well as the author's personal experiences. The author provides detailed descriptions and commentary of the various facets of the Forest. These descriptions include what one might expect while hiking in the area in different seasons, canoeing the rivers, or camping as well as how the area is changing due to development, logging, and other ecological factors.

Filled with stunningly beautiful photographs, it made me want to visit the Northern Forest at my first opportunity. A recommended read, but worth the price just for the pleasure of enjoying the photography.