Book Description

Ora Mobley-Sweeting, an acclaimed human rights activist, lived in New York City from 1948 to 1990.She worked with Harlem's notables in an era that defined Africa's post-colonial struggles and America's own period of Civil Rights.This is a deeply personal description of how political systems are organized in an urban context. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One Woman Remembers
A chronicle about one woman's effort in the struggle for human rights in Harlem during the years of the Civil Rights Movement. The story of Ora Mobley-Sweeting's life is rich with positive images, but also contains dire memories of the challenges of the times. Being from a prominent black family in the south, she reveals an intimate look at the experience of many African Americans who moved from the south to the north for social and economic freedom. She gives a unique insight into the politics of the local community and a clear depiction of the impact one community can have on a society. The personal observance of the Civil Rights Movement is viewed from a northerners' perspective. Emphasis is placed on the social and political struggles in the north. She feels that the northern efforts in the civil right's struggle have not been given adequate attention by historians. She also emphasizes how the fight for independence in Africa influenced and encouraged African Americans in the fight for civil rights in America. Ora Mobley-Sweeting's life of dedication to the community won her many awards. Her book is insightful and informative. ... Read more

Book Description

The memories of the pranks, woes, and joys collected in this small volume were drawn from cadet life at The Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. Here's a sampling:

Snow Job by Charles Banning, '74

Buzzy Northen, '77, was a star on the diving team, but I think he may be more famous for the day he almost quit VMI.

One day, Buzzy was packed and departing through Jackson Arch. The Commandant, Col Buchanan, '50B, spotted Buzzy, bags packed and on his way out of barracks.

"Mr. Northen, what do you think you are doing?"

"I'm quitting. I'm going home."

"Please step into my office."

Col Buchanan convinced Buzzy to reconsider. As Buzzy was departing Col Buchanan's office to return his civilian clothes into storage and to rejoin the Corps, Col Buchanan ordered him to place himself on report for wearing civilian clothes in barracks.

Rat Conductor by Pat Morgan, '54

When I was a Rat, Dabney Coleman, the movie star, Class of '53, would get a crowd of us Rats in his room and make each make like a musical instrument when he put on classical music, and then he'd direct us. He had one hell of an imagination.

All the proceeds of this book are donated to the VMI Museum.

Book Description

In the spirit of Pete Hamil's SNOW IN AUGUST, the author of four New York Times bestsellers, including REPORT FROM ENGINE COMPANY 82, creates a moving memoir of growing up Irish Catholic and poor in New York City.

Growing up on the rough-and-tumble streets of New York City in the 1940s and '50s, Dennis Smith was a "tenement kid," dirt-poor, Irish-Catholic, and missing a father. According to his mother, who fought desperately to keep her children on the right track, his father had a disability which required him to stay in a hospital and have no visitors. By his early teens, Smith had become an angry rebel, and was involved with drugs, alcohol, and various kinds of criminal mischief. Just as his life was about to spin out of control, he learned the truth behind his father's absence, and begun a difficult process of personal healing and spiritual renewal. Told in first-person narrative, this lyrical remembrance is a powerful odyssey of one young man coming of age in a confusing and sometimes hostile world. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

An American "Angela's Ashes"
Dennis Smith's "A Song for Mary" is a powerful, emotionally gripping memoir that is one of the finest published in recent years. Along with Pete Hamill's "A Drinking Life", and Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes", it belongs in the first rank of great memoirs written by Irish-American authors. Speaking of Hamill, it is a Manhattan version of "A Drinking Life", replete with the chaos and woe associated with growing up poor and Irish in New York City. Smith's vivid prose conjurs up the Irish-American neighobrhood that was once the East Side of Midtown Manhattan. We see a young, bright Dennis Smith almost drawn into a life of petty crime, yet saved by love and devotion from his mother and local Catholic priests. Eventually the book ends positively, with his arrival as the rookie fireman at Engine Company 82, setting the stage for the events he described two decades ago in his bestselling memoir "Report from Engine Company 82". I am surprised that this fine book hasn't earned the wide audience it deserves. Anyone who has fallen in love with Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes" should also fall in love with Dennis Smith's "A Song for Mary".

Uncertain of where the author was taking me
Until the last few pages I wondered who Mary was, his mother, his girlfriend, his fellow student, a teacher? Having been raised in an Irish Catholic community during the Depression, I could identify with much of what the author described. But it was not until the end that "Mary" became clear. It seemed to be a Song to the Author. Yes, I enjoyed it, but if I had not been determined to read it through, I would have probably set it down about half way through and considered the book unremarkable.

SUCH A WONDERFUL MEMORY!
This shows the greatest love in the world: a mother's love for her son. As a result of this love, her son has a great desire to please his mother and a need for her to be proud of him.====Growing up in a New York City neighborhood during the 1940's and 1950's is very difficult for Dennis because of peer pressure and also because he is very resentful and resistive of all authority in his life, but grow up he does!====You cannot read this well-written narrative without some laughter and some tears,but you do come away from it with some understanding of the universal mother-child love.====If you read and loved Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes", you will certainly love this wonderful memoir. Good for you, Dennis Smith!!!

THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
I READ THIS BOOK IN ONE WEEK END WHILE VISITING MY DAUGHTER. IT WAS A DELITE FOR ME . ALTHOUGH RAISED IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO , AND BEING FEMALE, THE TIME PERIOD MATCHED AND SO DID THE FELLOWS THAT GREW UP IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. WE WERE EITHER IRISH, ITALIAN OR JEWISH. HE REALLY TAKES ONE INSIDE THIS LITTLE FELLOW AND WOULD CERTAINLY GIVE ANY MOTHER WITH A REBEL SON HOPE. I LOVED IT!

A masterpiece!
Encore, encore. . . what a beautiful, wonderful story. I did not want this book to end I enjoyed it so thoroughly. What a brave and determined woman Mary was, and such an incredibly loving mother. This book is such a touching tribute to her, as well as a gut-wrenching look at growing up dirt poor and finding your own way in life. I loved this book and highly recommend it. Bravo Mr. Smith! ... Read more

Book Description

Tales From Delaware Bay is a collection of stories of Watermen who earn their living from the bay. The stories are non-fiction accounts of crabbing, boating, trapping, net fishing and sports fishing. ... Read more

Book Description

A narrative of adventure in the southern Appalachians and a study of life about the mountaineers. Horace Kephart is the man most responsible for the existence of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park spanning the North Carolina and Tennessee border. Using his numerous journals, he wrote of first-hand observations of the mountains and people during his 10 years of travels through the Appalachians. 6x9 trade paper, 548 pages. Includes foreword by Ralph Roberts. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great Book
Kephart is an amazing color writer, and his talents show through in this book. He describes an outsider's view of the southern mountaineer, and portrays a beautiful, rugged land. I have read this book 3 times, and each time I am taken back to southern Appalachia at the turn of the 20th century.

A delightful but not romanticized view
Kephart's engaging, entertaining style does a terrific job of bringing realism to a heavily stereotyped people; his approach is balanced, illustrating the people's good and not-so-good characteristics with anecdotes (some hilarious) and facts. He provides historical and topological frameworks for the character of mountain people. He lived a bare-bones existence among them for several years and so his narrative is richer--and truer--than that of a drop-in-ask-get-out historian's. The book provides a realistic basis for understanding people of today's mountains, where personal background is often still important.

Factual and engaging
Kephart delivers the facts as they really were while avoiding any hints of "documentary reading". The story gives many real life events and the reader feels almost as if he's having a conversation with Kephart. A very vivid look into Appalachian life as it really was in the early 1900s.

Special
I love Appalachia history and would rate this as my favorite book on the subject. I hated to see the book end!

Should be required reading in every Appalachian school.
Kephart shows the Southern Appalachian Mountaineers as they were, and in some cases, still are. Warts and all. A fair, truthfull account of his experiences while living among us, as well as the historical background for the area. It should be remembered that the book was first published in 1913 and revised in 1922, and while it is not an accurate picture of the mountains of today, if you would understand Appalachia, read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In the late 1970s, Richard Antony convinced his wife they should leave their promising professional careers and comfortable suburban lifestyle to start an azalea nursery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With no horticultural training or business experience, few mechanical skills, and absolutely no idea what they were getting themselves into, numerous adventures followed. This first book in the series begins the couple’s colorful story, a story of triumph and despair, of high expectations and harsh reality, and of the people who touched their lives along the way. In the tradition of such classics as The Little House on the Prairie and Walton's Mountain, Mountain of My Dreams shares the true story of two ordinary people and their memorable, often remarkable 25-year journey. Much more than just another "back-to-the-land" chronicle, this is a heartwarming tale of a man, a woman, and their belief in each other. If you've ever wondered why the less-traveled road is less traveled, you need to read their story. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

"Life Happens" While You Are Planning Something Else
If you like books about real people in real situations, then this book is for you. Here is the story of a family, their struggle to achieve their dreams, and the obstacles they encounter along the way. Their dream of living in and off the country sounds simple enough, but... Where do you begin? What should you do? and How do you gather the courage to leave the comfort of your current lifestyle? These questions, and more, are answered as the Antony family builds an azalea nursery in the foothills of the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains.

Unlike reality TV, there is no contrived game, no set-up situations, no million-dollar winner. The result is a story that illustrates how "life happens" while you are planning something else. This book has it all: friends, family, drama, humor, triumphs, and setbacks. The writing style is straightforward and well worth reading.

REAL Life in Rappahannock County, Va
Anyone contemplating a move to a rural area should read this book. We all have romantic ideas of what it is like to live in the "country". This book will give you the reality. You will learn what challenges you will face and what rewards you will reap. If you are thinking of starting a plant nursery [after reading the New York Times article about Rappahannock] here is a great place to begin. Not only is this book packed with great information but it is also a well written book.[not always easy to find these days.] You will fall in love with this family's story. It reads like a novel and even gets off to a very quick start!. Buy it, read it, take notes, and enjoy it! PS If you move there I am sure you will meet them as everyone seems to know everyone there.

An inspirational and enjoyable partial memoir
By nature, I'm a bit skeptical of books of this nature. But having said that, I must say that Mr. Antony quickly won me over with his honesty and humility. I tremendously enjoyed the thought processess, trials, tribulations, and joys that he describes -- what an amazing life, and what an amazing family. If this book doesn't provide an impetus to do just a little more with the short amount of time we're given, then I don't know what does.

Living the Dream
Mr. Antony's account of his family's struggle to live out their dream offers great inspiration...and a good dose of reality. I very highly recommend the book to anyone who has toyed with dreams of making a living in the country and getting back to the basics. Who knew it was so hard to grow and sell azaleas while living in the Blue Ridge Mountains? I realized the book had me hooked when I discovered I was getting really irritated at their frustrations with local contractors (and literally had to put the book down for a couple hours), and when I found myself secretly rooting for all of Mr. Antony's personally engineered innovations (what we might call "workarounds"). The tone of the book is that of a really interesting relative or friend relating his family's story to you - the drama comes not so much from their unique ups and downs (and there are plenty), but from the way in which pull of the dream gets them through. ... Read more

Book Description

Out Behind The Barn on Cicero Farm captures in many ways the essence of family, farming and community. It gives a window's view of a picturesque era of a small town and the importance of the many small farms that not only produced food but also demonstrates how the farm family contributed productively to the community. School and small downtown businesses make up the rural setting of a simpler time. The interdependence on one another from grocery store to the farm implement dealer exemplifies the American way that built this country. Old fashion “Good Neighbor” scenarios bring back a time when people wanted to just help. You will feel the good warm and friendly feeling one gets as you read the some of these special moments that are captured in this true story of tradition. You will hear the roar of the tractor and the cry of a newborn calf. As you read, you will be able to see the beauty of nature as it is exquisitely described as if an artist painted it on a canvas. Best of all the renewal of life as the seasons unfold to glorify the miracle of Mother Nature and a tradition called farming. ... Read more

Book Description

This personal account is the authors experience with a homeless man in New York City. Its an exploration of the psychology of homelessness and a journey of self-awareness, knowledge, trust, and compassion as the author learns about a homeless mans plight and strategies for survival on the streets. This carefully researched document is a sensitive account of the problem of homelessness and an inspiration to all those who want to make a difference. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

About homelessness
I was hooked after I read the first few pages! A true story, that reads like a mystery! Laurie Anthony has captured the reality of homelessness through her experience with a homeless man. She tells his story (and hers) in such a honest, soul-searching way that I also examined my own beliefs and misconceptions about the homeless. In addition, the research she sites about homelessness, poverty, mental illness, shelters, welfare, and unemployment was informative and helpful. This book can be read as a memoir, a self-help book, or an introductory text to the problem of homelessness.

One Women's Writing Retreat Review
Have a Great One! A Homeless Man's Story is about a panhandler named J.C. struggling to survive in New York City. But it is also the story of a womanon a journey of self-discovery. It is the story of the bond that can form between two people who make a connection by chance, and find enough courage to tell each other the truth.It's about coming to an understanding: that some mistakes in life can be rectified, while others never will. Yet, the message in the book is uplifting. If you let go of blame and let in compassion, you can grow and make a difference in the world...

New Book Reviews
I would recommend this book, especially for students.It would be a great way to introduce them to this whole issue. The book is written in an easily readable style, with many resources listed at the end of the book for further research. Diane Morgan, Editor in Chief, New Books Review

The Boox Review
With remarkable skill and resolve, she managed to whittle away at J.C.'s paranoia and distrust, and the resulting chronicle, "Have a Great One!" is a triumph. Stirring and joyful, it's a perfect seasonal example of heartfelt benevolence - and manifesto for extending year-round kindness to fellow strangers everywhere. The Boox Review

A compelling exploration of the psychology of homelessness.
Have A Great One!: A Homeless Man's Story is the personal account of Laurie Anthony's encounter and subsequent experiences with J.C. Simmons, a homeless man residing on the streets of New York City. This is a compellingexploration of the psychology of homelessness and a journey ofself-awareness, knowledge, trust, and compassion as Laurie learns about ahomeless man's plight and strategies for survival on the streets. Have AGreat One! is a carefully researched and sensitive account of the problemof homelessness and an inspiration to anyone wanting to make a difference,wanting to deal with this growing American phenomena of the homeless in oururban cities. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

EXCELLENT book from a bygone era
Born in the 1800's, Mr. Woodcock relates his experiences from 50 years in the "tall timber". Ahead of his time, he expounds on the wisdom of closed seasons and game management. If you enjoy hunting; if you daydream of life in the mountains; this is a MUST read! In his folksy 'down home' way, he tells story after story of the rugged life in the mountains of Pennsylvania, as well as hunts in the west and south. If your son (or daughter) is new to hunting, GET THEM THIS BOOK! READ IT YOURSELF! Oh, to have been born in that long ago, forgotten era! Being from Pennsylvania myself, this has long been one of my favorite outdoor books, as I am sure it will be for you. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful read!
I really enjoyed this book. It is a wonderful read. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a strong, complelling story of an ordinary middle class, Italian-American woman, overcoming extraordinary problems. This non-fiction narrative begins with naive hope, joy, and high expectations for the future. Soon reality sets in. Dysfunctions by the name of alcoholism, gambling, and spousal abuse play their hands. The proverbial icing on their cake of misfortune comes when her husband is destined to become the recipient of a heart transplant. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

LIFE, TRUTH, TEARS, JOY AND HAPPINESS
HI, MY NAME IS MARYANN IS A HEARTFELT, HEARTWARMING, TEAR SPRINKLING, AND TRULY ENJOYABLE BOOK. I RECEOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE EXPERIENCING LIFES UPS AND DOWNS. JUST A TRULY TOUCHING STORY. TRY IT YOU REALLY WILL ENJOY IT!

This book really hits home
This book has brought a great deal of hope and inspiration to my life. I wish that I can thank the author personally for writing
the truth about what she has endured in her own life. I recommend this book to anybody out there who has a pulse. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Big Town Biography is a Big Town Racist Blunder!
Welcome to a21st Century New York perspective.

This book is a great example of how yellow journalism is still alive and well in New York City-- especially in The Daily News. Not only is it yellow, but it consistently goes out of is way to assassinate the character of the various ethnic groups that comprise a 21st Century New York population- open to the realities of history-but not open to tolerating hyperbolic, specious,self-serving racist epithets in publishing. Mr. Maeder,and The Daily News, have only served to remind us that this type of hate didn't go out with the Nazis. My feelings about this book can be summed up by paraphrasing a segment of Chapter 231 : "Profoundly embarrassed by the venom, calumny, and mendacity by Jay Maeder and The Daily News in New York, the Puerto Rican community pleaded with its people to boycott the paper and stop home delivery throughout the city by the thousands who were suffering the "slings and arrows" of the near-epidemic yellow journalistic perspectives being propagated by largely ignorant and xenophobic hack reporters." The Daily News needs to realize that the pulp detective prose of yore doesn't add up to, and isn't commensurate to, quality journalism.

The Daily News and its staff should be ashamed for not doing its "homework". The Daily News is definitely not a paper of the new millennium. Zero stars is in order all around... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The best of growing up in Brooklyn...
The Golden Age of Tongue Kissing describes this author's memorable story of growing up in Brooklyn in the 40-ies and 50-ies.What a pleasure to read.I could not stop smiling when reading the recollections about this wonderful golden age of innocense and not-so-innocense. I am sure that this compilation of stories mixed in with humorous jokes from and about the old times will remind you of all those good memories of your own or will at least show you a peak of the yesteryears we all yearn for. ... Read more

Book Description

A young, idealistic minister, and a stonecutter’s son, two men merged in destiny.

The former - driven by the abuses of a new industrial age at the turn of the century - from the pulpit to founding a crusading newspaper, election as the first Socialist mayor in New York State, then Democrat congressman, lieutenant governor and to the threshold of the presidency.

The latter from the mats of a local college and sawdust of the carnival to two world wrestling championships, a hometown hero and, for a third of a century, an area’s “Mr. Democrat.”

A story of two men - a father and son-in-law - and a city, but more so a story of family, its joys in success, its heartbreaks in loss. A readable episode in a city’s history, but more so an inspiration to sons and daughters everywhere.

George R. Lunn urged more biographies and autobiographies, “. . . for in them we touch life in a peculiar and intimate way . . . We find history, we find philosophy, we findreligion . . . We are touching life in its most vital reality, and where can we find greater wisdom than by reading the actual conflicts of men and women in this workaday world?”

Reviews (1)

A Masterpiece from a Writer, not just a Storyteller
The book is a MASTERPIECE!!! What a brilliant effort! I stand in awe of George's talent! The basic reason for the book - memorializing two unique, interesting, and productive individuals - is absolutely achieved. I'm sure some would say, "Sure it's good. Look at the material he had to work with." And that's the point. Through his writing talent we could look at the two "STARS" up close and personal. I love his writing style. While many successful writers make good use of adjectives, which George does, he manages to use adjectives that no one else would use in that context and they work! So many writers come up with analogies that are clearly forced, don't quite work, and stop the reader who realizes their weakness. Not George! He has the talent to do the unusual and make it work. Then there is his technique of changing scenes with some abruptness, which results in a change of pace and greater interest, and defeats boredom. That and some interesting sentence structure gave me the conviction that he is a writer, not just a storyteller. In the opening he states that the work is a novel, which signals to me that much of the details of scenes and conversations are reproduced by him based on facts and his imagination. If that is true, then he does his reproductions believably and therefore spectacularly brilliantly. Again, moving from the storyteller stage to something more expert, he has exhibited the ability to understand and to use his knowledge of the human condition - an advanced writing skill! As I have said, he is a WRITER, a professional! I'm anxious to read his next work! What much of the above adds up to is that George has the highly skilled ability to create three-dimensional characters on a two-dimensional page. WOW! Speaking of dimensions, there is one more aspect that deserves comment here. I found many parts of the book to be personally INSPIRING without overt preaching. I feel closer to God. Reading the book was an interesting, rewarding, riveting and memorable experience. A MASTERPIECE! Worth waiting for. I thank you for including me in its triumph! ... Read more

Book Description

Dan Hyland, as a boy growing up in the city of New Brunswick, New Jersey from 1930-1938, saw the last boats being locked through the Delaware and Raritan Canal.He knew the old lock keepers and people who lived in the abandoned barges along the canal.The Raritan River and the D.& R. Canal provided recreation that was both exciting and extremely dangerous.Dan rode the ice flows on the Raritan after city work crews dynamited the frozen river in the early spring.He met strange and colorful people with names like "Corker Pete" and "Two-Cent Itszi."Dan and his buddies pulled a lot of stunts, caused mischief, and had run-ins with waterfront bullies.He enjoyed a free and virtually unsupervised boy's life.Money was nearly non-existent, so Dan and his friends pooled their resources, skills, and imaginations to find ways of earning money to go to the movies and acquire their play equipment.They learned how to capitalize on the neighborhood bootleggers and traveling junkmen."River Rats:Growing Up on the Raritan River" is a memoir of the Great Depression.The stories are upbeat and at times humorous, reminiscent of the exploits of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. ... Read more

Book Description

This is an inspirational nonfiction narrative of life during the great depression as viewed through the absorbing eyes and inquisitive mind of a child and his dog. It is a vibrant word portrait of the non-martyr life of a coal miner's son, his extended family, and the people of the anthracite coal region when the economy of our nation was at low ebb. It portrays, contrasts, and harmonizes the values, principles, life styles, and the multicultural ethnic customs and mores, of the Polish, Irish, Welch, English, and Jewish nationalities living in the northeastern region of Pennsylvania during the 1930s.It presents a society that was less complex than the one we currently live in; it exhibits personal support that was given warmly and with less formality and expense than we experience today.It is an interesting mixture of tragedy, joy, and humor emersed in a secure way of life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Days gone by.
I purchased this book for my father's 70th birthday...it was the most excited I have ever seen him about a present. My dad grew up down the street from the author and many references in the book are about our family and the places where my dad grew up. He finished the book in days...he couldn't put it down! I plan to read it next.

I love this book!
I was refered this book by the grandaughter of the author, and although she didn't say go and read it, she told me about it, and it sounded VERY interesting. I went out a few days later, and I borrowed the book from the library. I stayed up all night reading, and I wished that I could just keep reading and reading, and never finish the book. ... Read more