Found Reviews 2023

 

Occasionally we discover that patrons have shared opinions on a book.  Here are some of the ones that have turned up in the last few months:

Dead of Jericho by Colin Dexter came back from a visit to another library with a note that said, “Thank you for keeping these ‘old’ books.  I enjoyed it!  Your Inter-Library Loan patron”

We were a bit confused by the review of The Sherbrooke Bride by Catherine Coulter which read, “Good but scandaless.” We weren’t sure if the writer meant “scandalous” or if she were hoping for scandal and didn’t get it.

A very polite patron included his review on an index card tucked into a copy of Colson Whitehead’s Zone One: “Mundane is right!  I’m on page 193 and nothing has happened.  I keep plowing thru the convoluted and unnecessarily verbose prose, hoping to get to the spot where ‘things start to go wrong.’”  He then provides a quotation, “… he concocted the thin broth of the silhouette from this despair over the death of connection” and adds, “Huh??”

James Patterson’s Mistress had briefer reviews but a diverse group.

“Same ole thing.”

“Good overall, but somewhat boring at times.”

“Loved it!!”

“Rambling! Boring!”

G. A. McKeviett’s Murder Most Grave attracted a trio of unimpressed reviews:

“Middle school level”

“Silly” and right below, “I agree!”

Last Call by Tim Powers has the dubious honor of being dubbed “Worst Book ever!” by an anonymous reviewer.

Beyond the Blue Mountains  by Jean Plaidy had the comment:

“Stupid”

Another patron took the trouble to reply, “Not stupid at all Victoria Holt and [Philippa] Carr style last ¼ [presumably means last quarter of the book] author played with different style storytelling.” (Note: author Eleanor Hibbert wrote under all three names, Plaidy, Holt, and Carr.)

Finally, Fresh From the Country by Miss Read came back with this notation:  “Nostalgic—very readable, but modern teens would be bored stiff. I would suggest these for older home-schooled children, or for history buffs.”  As a fan of Miss Read, I tried not to take offense. I was cheered by reviews on another of her books, Village Centenary:

“The very best of story tellers is Miss Read.”

“I enjoyed this book and may of the others Miss Read has written!”

“Love, especially when you’re English!!”

Finally, another patron tucked a comment written on a scrap of paper inside the old card pocket of The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge: “Love this book” followed by alternating hearts and exclamation points.

Nevermore: Little Monsters; Abandoned East Tennessee; This Terrible Sound

 

Reported by Rita

Little Monsters by Kara Thomas has it all: mystery, teen drama, newly combined families, and a séance at the scene of a horrific murder 100 years prior. This young adult novel was described as a fun, easy read. HM

Abandoned East Tennessee: Ruins of Rocky Top by Jay Farrell is filled with phots of abandoned structures throughout East Tennessee. Our reader was intrigued by the items that were left behind in some of the photos and wondered what the stories were behind them. Highly recommended for anyone interested in old abandoned places. CD

 

This Terrible Sound: The Battle of Chickamauga by Peter Cozzens is a graphic historical account of the battle fought between the North and South in the mountains of southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia. Describing how the soldiers would fight for days without food, water, rest, or medical attention, it is a vivid picture of what is considered one of the bloodiest and most decisive battles of the Civil War. PC

 

Also Mentioned:

Your Inner Hedgehog: A Professor Dr von Igelfeld Entertainment by Alexander McCall Smith

Elevation by Stephen King

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff

The Long Way Home by Louise Penny

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Selected Stories by William Trevor

Living with Memories by Janette Carter

The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments by Hadley Vlahos

Officer Clemmons by François S. Clemmons

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson

Thunderstruck by Erik Larson

The Spite House by Johnny Compton

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

 

New Books:

The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by

Siddhartha Mukherjee

Clinchco: History of a Coal Camp (Editors) Dennis Reedy, Jeff Reedy

The Girl in the Eagle's Talons by Karin Smirnoff

What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator by Barbara Butcher

For the Love of Pawpaws: A Mini Manual for the Growing and Caring for PawPaws – From Seed to Table by Michael Judd

Reviewed by Jeanne

I remember eating my first pawpaw as a child, being given one of the fat green fruits while waiting on my grandparents to finish talking to a friend.  I didn’t quite know what to make of it at first: not crunchy like an apple but rather creamy. It sort of tasted like an over-ripe banana, but somehow different.  I just wasn’t sure about it.

Flash forward a few decades when I once again was given a pawpaw to eat.  My taste buds had the same puzzled reaction: what IS this? I detected other flavors in it this time, more generally tropical than just banana, and more than a little addictive.  Other family members have never tasted a pawpaw or if they have, they’ve forgotten, so I decided to do a little looking.  I soon found articles rhapsodizing over this North American delicacy but lamenting the short window of availability for chefs as well as the problem of transporting a delicate fruit.

Lo and behold, I found an entire book on pawpaws at the library.  It offers a wealth of information about this amazing fruit, including that there are some cultivated varieties now.  It confirmed the short storage time—three weeks is the maximum; an already ripe pawpaw will last less than a week.  The book gives very thorough instructions on how to grow your own pawpaws, including cultivated varieties. I had no idea under some conditions, pawpaw plants can be low and bushy, not the trees I expect to see.

Spacing, stared from seed or from seedling, where to buy, grafting, and more considerations are addressed in an informative and friendly manner, illustrated with wonderful color photos. It’s almost enough to make me want to try to grow one, so I decided to lie down until the foolish notion passed.  I am NOT good with plants.

The book also covers how and when to harvest, store, and process.  This includes safe handling with the note that certain wild animals REALLY love pawpaws and might have “all out parties in the pawpaw patch” which may leave behind certain… um… deposits, which may be hazardous to human health.  Thorough cleaning of any pawpaws found on the ground is highly advised.

There is even a Pawpaw festival in September each year in Ohio.  I checked and yep, it’s still going on!

He also offers recipes, including pawpaw cheesecake.  Need I say more? Okay, there is also Vegan Pawpaw Mexican Lasagna with Black Beans and Potato, Vegan Pawpaw and Pecan Whole Wheat Pancakes with Caramel Sauce, and Pawpaw Crème Brulee.

And if that isn’t enough for you, there’s also Pawpaw Moonshine. 

But Have You Read the Book? 52 Literary Gems that Inspired Our Favorite Films by Kristen Lopez

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

In her foreword, Lopez writes that she likes reading the book before seeing the movie because she enjoys feeling as if she has the “inside track” on what’s going to happen. Of course, sometimes the movie makes a lot of changes between page and screen!

This book carries the TMC imprint and while it does feature a lot of classic movies, there are some newer versions included as well. The book is arranged chronologically by movie, so it starts with Frankenstein in 1931 and ends with 2021’s Passing, based on the 1929 book by Nella Larsen. Titles are the ones used for the movie, but book title and author are included with each entry, along with the names of the director and the writer of the screenplay.  Each entry is about four pages long, with brief but insightful comparisons between book and film. The tone is light but informative, and the book never bogs down.   The introduction warns “Spoilers Ahead,” as important plot points and even endings may be discussed. Lopez sometimes drops in little tidbits about the production and filming or else about the original book author.

This is a wonderful little book, whether you decide to read it straight through or if you pick and choose which selections to read. Some of the titles included are Psycho, Lord of the Rings, Children of Men, Rebecca, Joy Luck Club, Remains of the Day, Dune, The Godfather, Fight Club, Clueless, Jaws, and Coraline.  There is no index, alas, but that’s a minor quibble.  The book is illustrated with some charming color line drawings by Jyotirmayee Patra. 

 The author limited herself to 52 selections, so at times I wondered what criteria she used.  I’ll admit that this is in part because I was greedy for more: not only more titles, but she could easily have doubled the length of the entries.   Then again, it is a showbiz adage to “always leave them wanting more!”

Nevermore: Hang the Moon, The Four Agreements, Day They Fell From the Sky

 

Reported by Rita

Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls is set in a small town in Virginia during Prohibition. Young Sallie Kincaid comes from a life of privilege until she’s blamed for an accident involving her younger step-brother and sent away. She returns a few years later and takes over her father’s moonshine empire. An enjoyable and interesting story. NH

 

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz offers readers a guide to help overcome self-limiting beliefs based on ancient Toltec wisdom. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best. The book explores each agreement and how they can make a difference in one’s happiness.  Our reader made lots of notes and took away many lessons from this spiritual self-help title and highly recommends it. GG

 

The Day They Fell From the Sky: 10 Lone Survivors and Their Harrowing and Incredible True Stories of Plane-Crash Survival by Oliver Martin Cass tells the horrific but brave stories of people who beat the odds and survived not only plane crashes but the elements of the crash sites. The book also includes a chapter on how to increase your odds of surviving a plane crash. The stories are incredible and inspiring according to our reader. CD

 

Also Mentioned:

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 by Elena Favilli, Francesca Cavallo

Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy―and the Sister She Betrayed   by Jim Poppin 

Where We Meet the World: The Story of the Senses by Ashley Ward

Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

A Journey with Clay: On the Road to Iron Mountain Stoneware by Nancy Patterson Lamb

Beach Music by Pat Conroy

The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson

 

New books:

 

Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong's Rendezvous with American History by Yunte Huang

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha Mukherjee

A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power, Susan Power

Hillerman & Dark Winds

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

 

Although Tony Hillerman wrote his first Navajo police mystery in 1970, I didn’t encounter his work until the ‘80s but I quickly became a fan.  He introduced me to a beautifully complex culture and people, about whom I knew very little.  His settings were so vivid I could almost see the canyons.  I loved his two main characters:  the “legendary lieutenant” Joe Leaphorn whose calm demeanor and sharp intellect made him more than a match for any wrong doers;  young Jim Chee, still learning the ropes in the early novels, sometimes making mistakes, but a good man.  I liked that these characters changed and grew over the course of the series. 

Some years after Tony Hillerman’s passing, his daughter Anne took up the series.  She has since written eight more books in the series, with a ninth to be published in 2024. 

Such rich source material led to several different filmed versions of Hillerman’s books, including The Dark Wind with Lou Diamond Phillips as Jim Chee and Fred Ward as Joe Leaphorn and a three-episode PBS series called Skinwalkers:  The Navajo Mysteries starring Wes Studi as Leaphorn and Adam Beach as Jim Chee. 

The most recent version is AMC’s Dark Winds, with Zahn McClarnon as Leaphorn and Kiowa Gordon as Chee, and Jessica Matten as Bernadette Manuelito, a character who was introduced near the end of Tony’s books but who is a major character in Anne’s series. There have been two six episode seasons of the show to date.

The library was able to buy the first season of Dark Winds when it became available on DVD this summer, so I had to check it out. Visually, it’s amazing, both in terms of the people and the country. It was worth watching for the scenery and costumes alone.  It’s set in the 1970s, when Hillerman wrote the first books, which added to the ambiance as far as I was concerned.  Many in the cast and crew have Native American ancestry, but not necessarily Navajo.  (McClarnon, for example is Lakota while Gordon is Hualapai.)  There were some jumps back and forth in time which could be a little confusing, but that is a minor quibble. The other reviews on it have been glowing so a lot of people have enjoyed it, including other Hillerman fans.

I liked it, but to be honest I was bothered by some of the changes and themes in the series.  Mostly I didn’t like what was to me a very different version of Jim Chee and some other changes to characters’ backgrounds.  Other Hillerman fans didn’t find it a problem, so don’t let that deter you!  Anne Hillerman wrote at her website (www.annehillerman.com) about the series, listing all the things she liked but adding, “While these adaptations aren’t part of Dad’s and my stories, they are creative and entertaining.” (Among the things she says she likes is that the show “portrays the essence of Joe Leaphorn and Bernie [Manuelito] in a way that makes me proud.  I know my Dad would be happy, too.” I noted that she did not include Jim Chee in that statement.

Season two of the series just aired, but there is no word as to whether there will be a season three.

The library does hold copies of both of the Hillermans’ books as well as a DVD of the first season of the new series.  If you watch the series, I would be interested to know what you think!

If you haven’t read Hillerman’s books, here’s a list in order of publication:

1.       The Blessing Way

2.      Dance Hall of the Dead

3.      Listening Woman

4.      People of Darkness

5.      The Dark Wind

6.      The Ghostway

7.      Skinwalkers

8.     A Thief of Time

9.      Talking God

10.  Coyote Waits

11.   Sacred Clowns

12.  The Fallen Man

13.  The First Eagle

14.  Hunting Badger

15.  The Wailing Wind

16.  The Sinister Pig

17.   Skeleton Man

18.  The Shape Shifter

Books by Anne Hillerman:

1.       Spider Woman’s Daughter

2.      Rock with Wings

3.      Song of the Lion

4.      Cave of Bones

5.      The Tale Teller

6.      Stargazer

7.      The Sacred Bridge

8.     The Way of the Bear

9.      Lost Birds (due out 2024)

Sandwiches and Sweets: Cookbook Roundup!

 

Smashed: 60 Epic Smash Burgers & Sandwiches for Dinner, for Lunch, and Even for Breakfast by The Waltwins Adam and Brett Walton 

Sheet Pan Sweets: Simple, Streamlined Dessert Recipes by Molly Gilbert

Reviewed by Kristin

Smashed…the cover on this book drew me to open it. The burger has a beautiful sesame seed bun covering lettuce, tomato, cheese, and…is that pineapple? And of course the meat patties, but those are just a base for the toppings in my book.

The idea for smashed burgers is that you make a ball of ground beef (or other meat) and smash it to the grill in a thin patty, which will cook in about 10-15 seconds for each side. The brother authors explain this with a bit of chemistry talk: “The pressure you apply is key to getting a good Maillard reaction, which is the chemical connection between the acids in the meat and the heat that results in browning.” Aha, so that’s how Steak ‘n Shake does it!

In addition to the quick cooking method used here, the authors have some very tasty suggestions for topping sandwiches. I might have to try the “Green Hatch Chile Smash Burger” on page 60 or the “Classic Turkey Club Panini” on page 118. For that panini, the smashing is for the whole sandwich, bread and all.

Moving on to sweeter things, Sheet Pan Sweets holds a huge number of recipes, which can be made in bulk. I remember giant sheet pans of chocolate cakes made in a school cafeteria, then cut into squares to fit on a lunch tray, feeding hundreds by the time lunchtime was complete. While you might not find that exact recipe here, you might find inspiration in the chapters titled: Sheet Cakes, Layered & Rolled Cakes, Bars, Cookies, Pies & the Like, and Breakfasts & Breads.

Turning to page 29, I found “Ben’s Carrot-Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting”, which is timely for the last days of summer, as friends and neighbors try desperately to give away their excess squash. Besides, I never met a zucchini I didn’t like, whether baked, steamed, or fried.

I found a few other recipes to remember along the way, but by the time I reached page 216, the “Cinnamon Roll Poke Cake” struck me as a very simple shortcut to get the taste of cinnamon rolls without taking the time for a yeast dough to rise. Not to mention, cream cheese frosting is also recommended to top this sweet treat. (I also never met a cream cheese frosting that I didn’t like.)

The recipes here are intended for an 18” x 13” pan with a 1” lip around the edge, but the author assures us that they can be cut in half and made in a 9” x 13” standard baking pan. That sounds perfect, so that we can bake for a family or for a family reunion. Let the baking begin!

Nevermore: Mrs. Plansky's Revenge, Pachinko, Magician's Assistant

 

Reported by Rita

Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge by Spencer Quinn is a humorous mystery that serves as a reminder to always respect your elders. Loretta Plansky is in her seventies, recently widowed, and caring for her 98-year-old father when she gets scammed by a young man who calls and claims to be her grandson in need of money. When the local authorities offer no help, she decides to seek her own justice. A very funny and entertaining book. MS

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee takes the reader back to the early 1900s where Korean teenager Sunja falls for a wealthy older man who promises to take care of her if she can give him a son. When she discovers that he is married after becoming pregnant, she accepts the proposal of another man and leaves for Japan. Beautifully written characters are woven through this tale of love, sacrifice, and resilience.  AC

The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett follows Sabine who has assisted her magician husband for twenty years until his death. The reading of his will reveals a secret life that leads Sabine on a journey of discovery from L.A. to Nebraska. Very enjoyable, our reader highly recommends this book. WJ

 

Also Mentioned:

The Girl by the Bridge by Arnaldur Indriðason
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash

The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones

The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed

Dinners with Ruth: A Memoir on the Power of Friendships by Nina Totenberg

Walk through Fire: The Train Disaster that Changed America by Yasmine Ali

Wolves at Our Door: The Extraordinary Story of the Couple Who Lived with Wolves by Jim Dutcher, Jamie Dutcher

The Paris Orphan by Natasha Lester

Above the Waterfall by Ron Rash

Embers of Childhood: Growing Up a Whitney by Flora Miller Biddle

 

 

New Books:

 

Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II by Lena Andrews

Evergreen by Naomi Hirahara

California Golden by Melanie Benjamin

Canary Girls by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Clinchco: History of a Coal Camp by Dennis Reedy and Jeff Reedy

 

Reviewed by Jeanne

Many people enjoy reading books on the history of our area.  Our shelvers will testify to the number of times they have re-shelved books by Bud Phillips or Robert Loving’s Double Destiny.  Other books about local communities are also popular, such as Kathy Shearer’s books on Wilder and Cleveland.  Recently we added a title on Clinchco, in Dickenson County, Virginia.

Clinchco was named for the Clinchfield company—either the railroad or the coal corporations. It was a rather diverse town for the area, with a number of immigrants who came to work in the mines alongside the Appalachian natives.  The mines opened around 1916, according the entry in the book, and the town became a thriving concern with many activities.

The book is engagingly written, bringing together family stories along with the history of an area, including good times and bad.  As one of the authors says in the preface, he went back to Clinchco time and again to do interviews because “we are fast getting to the point where ‘there is no one left to ask’ when it comes to the history of Clinchco.” Sadly, that is true for more than one area now.

I was really impressed by the number and quality of the photos included in the book.  I like looking at old photos, so I enjoyed these thoroughly.  For example, there are photos and drawings of a “bake oven” used by Hungarian and Italian immigrants in the 20s and 1930s, river baptisms in the 1940s, mining and railroad photos, street scenes, and more. Some of the more dramatic ones were of flooding in the 1970s and the bridge that collapsed under the weight of a tractor trailer that attempted to cross.  Infamous court cases, train and mine accidents are included, as well as carnivals and baseball games.

And I was delighted to see an index!

This book is a treasure trove for genealogists and historians, but also for anyone who wants a feel for what life was like “way back when” without it being seen through rose colored glasses. I gave this book to someone who was somewhat familiar with the area, thinking he might like to glance through it.  I learned later he had sat up with it until the wee small hours of the morning, having been captivated by some of the stories.  I think that says a lot.

We have one copy to check out and one copy to stay in the library in our Genealogy/ Local History collection.

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

 

Reviewed by Kristin

Donuts. Aliens. Demons. I’m pretty sure I’ve never read a book which combined these three elements before. If I have, I’m very sure I’ve never read one which did it so well.

Violinist Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the demon Tremon Phillipe forty-nine years ago. The terms she must fulfill are to provide seven other violin prodigies ready to deliver their own souls for success. If Shizuka holds up her end of the bargain, then she will be free once again to play her music. If she does not, well, there will be consequences.

When Shizuka walks into the Starrgate Donut Shop, she has no idea that it has been bought by aliens. Lan Tran brought her family to earth to escape the Endplague spreading through the Galactic Empire. Now they are replicating beautiful, identical (down the last sprinkle), donuts. As a bonus, the giant donut outside is perfect for the stargate the Tran family is supposed to be building for the Empire. When Shizuka orders their large Alaska donut, an unlikely friendship begins between the two women.

Known as the “Queen of Hell”, Miss Satomi is famous in the violin world. Many wish to be her student, and many have failed even to catch her attention. Over the years, Miss Satomi has found six young violinists willing to exchange their own souls for brilliance. Now with just a year left in her contract, she must find her next sacrificial student.

Katrina Nguyen is a teen transgender runaway. She left home with only her absolute essentials—an escape bag including her violin—running to Los Angeles where she hoped to find refuge with a friend. Katrina has been abused and insulted by family, friends, commenters on the internet, and strangers in the night. With her violin, Katrina can take herself to another world, one which might one day be kinder to her. Then she meets Miss Satomi.

Miss Satomi takes Katrina home and provides her a safe place to simply be. She also takes care of repairs for Katrina’s violin, and then begins the process of teaching a formerly untrained, but beautifully intuitive player. But will Miss Satomi offer up Katrina to Tremon Phillipe to save her own soul?

As mentioned above, this novel combines elements (donuts, aliens, demons) that seem oddly disparate. But it also brings together the characters in a beautiful story full of hope, love, and redemption. I did not want the story to end. There were arcs which could have been expanded, giving me hope that perhaps there could be a continuation. Maybe not a sequel, but other supporting characters might have their own stories to tell. If not, then I guess I will just have to imagine their lives.

I would definitely recommend this for fans of John Scalzi, TJ Klune, and Becky Chambers, all of whom actually wrote back cover blurbs for Light From Uncommon Stars. Ryka Aoki also published the novel He Mele A Hilo, and the collections Seasonal Velocities and Why Dust Shall Never Settle Upon This Soul.

A Slice Of Country Life by George F. Walker

 We apologize that we have no Nevermore report today.  In its place, we're re-running a classic Nancy review that was first published way back in 2009.

Reviewed by Nancy

It all started in the spring of 1902 when the Walker family disembarked from the steam train at McMinnville, Oregon. Lured by colorful advertisements posted by the railroad companies, and magazine and newspaper articles lauding the good life to be found in Oregon, the family left their sod house on the Kansas prairie and started a new life.

In A Slice Of Country Life: 1902-1915 (979.5 WAL Main), George F. Walker tells the story of his family's adventures as the owners of the Buell country store and the 27 acre farm they acquired with it. The store was in the rural community of Buell, Oregon, on the east-west route across the state, midway between Salem, the state capitol, and the coast.

George Walker was four years old when this odyssey began. It is to me astonishing how much things have changed in the last hundred years or so, and George Walker's book drives that point home. The water source for his family was a well about 150 feet from the house. Water was drawn up by a bucket on a rope and carried up a hill to the house. As George puts it, "There was no flush." The restroom facility was an outhouse with a crescent cut in the door, usually equipped with a Sears Roebuck Company catalogue from the previous year "often used down to the slick pages of the harness section." Just ponder that for a moment, and the bathroom in your home will look pretty good.

Mr. Walker relates anecdotes regarding daily life in the store and on the farm, detailing how crops were planted, equipment repaired, and medical problems addressed. To write his book George held the pen with a crooked index finger, the crooked finger being the result of a farming accident. George was feeding corn into a cutting box, a box with two blades inside used to cut up corn for cow feed, when he managed also to feed his hand into the box where it was mangled by the blades.

His mother cleansed the nearly severed finger with turpentine and bandaged it without a splint. It healed, but healed crookedly. In these times, this is hard to imagine. What if I half chopped off a finger in the paper cutter at work and then insisted that we just cleanse it with turpentine and bandage it up rather than going to the doctor? The workman's comp people would have a fit. And I imagine library management might want to send me somewhere for mental evaluation.

Mr. Walker relates the story of his first viewing of an automobile and his first ride in that automobile. He also provides details about rural social life, card and parlor games that were played at get-togethers, and the excitement that was brought about when Mr. Nathan Blair, a member of the community, bought a deluxe model Edison phonograph. A date was set for a party at the local school, and Mr. Blair provided music with his phonograph.

When Mr. Walker was twelve years old, advance men for Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show came to Buell to put up advertising posters. In exchange for allowing them to display the posters in the Buell country store, the advance men gave Mr. Walker's father two tickets to the event which was to take place in Salem. Compared to the tiny crossroads of Buell, Salem was a metropolis, located twenty-five or thirty miles away.

George and his older brother, Clarence, rose early the morning of the Wild West Show. By six A.M. they had finished their farm chores. They then rode their bikes twelve miles to the town of Dallas, where they left their bikes at a livery stable (yes, I said livery stable. If you're so young you don't know what a livery stable is, look it up.) After stabling the bikes, they boarded a train for the remainder of the trip to Salem. Not only was this George's first circus and Wild West Show, it was his first ride on a train as well.

Mr. Walker is a great storyteller, and it is fortunate for the rest of us that he decided to write A Slice Of Country Life.