This classic Victorian novel popular in its time is a fine example of descriptive writing at its best. It will entertain as well as educate the most prolific of readers with references to world-wide geographic locations, foreign phraseology, and descriptive paragraphs that are refreshing different to 21st century reading. A tale of romance and intrigue woven with Christian morality will delight the reader into imagining themselves present in an era now passed. I can see why it was a favorite of my grandmother and will remain a favorite with me.

Although the book chronicles the life of Edna Earl from childhood into adult life, it was titled, 'St. Elmo.' Edna Earl maintained a very high sense of morality, and strongly valued her belief system and her integrity. It was this sense of morality, expressed through her confident personality, that resulted in the eventual 'spiritual reawakening' of St. Elmo Murray. St. Elmo was truly 'born again' as a man and as a spiritual being. His turnaround from an angry, misanthropic individual into an enlightened individual was remarkable. It was Edna Earl who triggered this awakening in him. Therefore, naming the book 'St. Elmo' was a testament his receiving of grace. Agusta Jane Evans was an outstanding writer, as good as any whose books I have ever read.

I have read this book threetimes. The first was when I was a teenager no more than l4 years. I read it again soon after I was married at twehty three. The first two times were borrowed books - I then found it still in print so I finally bought my own copy. I treasure it and probably will read it again for the fourth time. It is the greatest book I have ever owned not counting the Bible.

An excellent story that was hard to set down because the author made me feel like I was sitting in a rocking chair on the huge southern front porch listening to an old family tale. Family secrets and much love between these women family members. Don't pass by this book, it's exceptionally good.

First learned about Ms. Trobaugh two years ago. Thoroughly enjoyed "Praise Jerusalem," her first novel. A refreshing new voice who knows how to listen to other voices. She packs her books with platinum and bronze magnolias whom I'd love to have as friends. Sensitive treatment of race relations in the South. Can't wait for her next book.

Pull up a rocker and sit next to Pet while she listens to the "stories" Cora reads from the family book. Ms. Trobaugh is such a great author that you start to feel like you're actually right there with these women sitting in the front room of their house in the dead of winter with fabric stuffed in the cracks around the windows to keep out the winter draft. The part of the story when Ms. Addie "passes over" is written so beautifully as well as so many other parts of the story. This book is about secrets that have been forgotten but not really forgotten but it's mostly about the complexities of the south in the 1940s when friends, families and races all intertwine. Don't miss the chance to read this book. It's so sweet to feel the closeness of the women and be "next to them" as they age but it's also sad to feel the bad times they also went through. As I already shared, this is an excellent book. I now live in S.C. but I'm fromm Pa., this story has made me understand a lot of things that I never experienced and used to have a hard time believing really happened, but I am the eternal optimist wearing rose colored glasses. Great story and it's one that you can get right into.

Hallowed Ground is a beautiful book, capturing spectacular locations from the greatest courses in both America and the United Kingdom.
Included in this hardback collection of art by Linda Hartough is the fabled 7th hole at Pebble Beach, and many holes from Augusta National's Amen Corner. Pieces on each course by Jaime Diaz highlight battles that have taken place on the fairways, and give life to the paintings as showdowns on 18th greens are described.
What makes this book interesting is that when you see the life-like paintings and read about the classic golf that has gone on in that scene, you are able to put yourself in the picture. It is amazing to be able to watch the final round of the 1981 US Open just by reading this book.
To a true fan of golf, or anyone who loves a good coffee table book, Hallowed Grounds is a perfect edition to your collection. Buy this book today, and put yourself in the picture!

This "coffee table" style book works for me because of my passion for golf and my love for famous golf courses. Linda Hartough may be the best landscape artist I've seen in rendering these classic courses with the precision of modern day photography.

What I really got out of this book was a memory recollection of playing a majority of these courses. Looking at these paintings I was thrown into the distant memory of playing Pebble Beach, Shinnecock Hills, Winged Foot, Olympic Club, Carnoustie, St. Andrews (Old Course), Royal Lytham, Royal Birkdale, and Royal Troon. It was like de ja vu all over again!

Also worth checking out are the Augusta National paintings. This might be her finest work. I especially liked her work on hole #'s 10,11,12, and 15. Augusta is the best course in the world. Second to none. Her painting here is some of her finest work also.

If Linda Hartough ever publishes paintings of the century old courses of Ireland, in particular the courses designed by Old Tom Morris and Alister Mackenzie , I will buy it. I would really like to see her render and paint the "classic" Irish courses of Ballybunion, Lahinch, Ardglass, Royal Portrush, Newcastle, and Royal County Down. Those classic links style courses are some of the finest on this planet and really bring back fond memories of my playing days.

I was fortunate to have the Golf Channel on a few months ago. Linda Hartough, the artist featured in this book was on with a few of her originals. I immediately purchased the book. After browsing the book 3 or 4 times, taking in her breathtaking artwork, I decided to read a few of the writings by Jaime Diaz on some of my favorite courses. The writings are as enjoyable as the artwork. This book should become required reading for anyone playing the game, especially for golfers new to the game. They would gain a greater appreciation for golf. Thank you Linda Hartough and Jaime Diaz

I ENJOY READING ABOUT HISTORY ...I THINK CLARA BARTON WAS A VERY BRAVE PERSON AND I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH THE RED CROSS SOME DAY AND HELP PEOPLE.

I really liked this book because I really like to learn about different people. To know who Clara Barton is and what she did is very exciting. People who like reading about famous people and what they did would really like this book.

I enjoyed the book Clara Barton because it was a very inspiring book. Whenever she had a goal she would never give up on it. I thought it was very nice she would go all the way to the top just to help people and I think it's a great book for you to read!

This is a terrific book written by a member's wife and their daughter. I am a big golf fan and have read several books about Augusta National and the Masters in recent years, but this one has an entirely different angle--a woman's perspective, and an insider-woman at that. The authors are respectful of the club, but they also are open in offering dozens of refreshing anecdotes that are funny and border on irreverent. There are also a bunch of photos in the book depicting the golf course from a candid viewpoint.

I started the book about 6 and finished about 12. Every golfer, Masters fan, everyone in Augusta will want one of theses books.

It's full of real inside stories of the Club, its founders, the grounds, the caddies, the famous players.

I know the author personally and figured her book would be interesting but did not expected to be glued to it. The wording contained many of the unique phrases used at the National and un golfing. I could not put the book down.

I am not a golfer, but my dad was and I have heard him day dream about golf; I've seen him high on 72 and down on 90; it seems the author got to the point she day dreamed about sandtraps, the rough, the fairways, how she would handle different shots.

Stories about personal encounters with famous golfers and politicians were great. The stories about the caddies and their betting, "ownership" of golfers, their nicknames were fascinating.

The stories about how one gets into the club gives the Augusta National a sense of intrigue.

The stories about the president of the club presented a man bigger than life, who put fear into the hearts of the wealthy and powerful.

Fishing stories, access to the club during the Masters, access to the club during off season were all highly readable and clearly inside, non-public, unpublished views into a closed society.

That only a few people were there at a time off season was amazing; there is/or was a wonderful wine cellar; there were no socials unrelated to golf and no 5 somes.

This is a wonderful book of private information that every golfer will enjoy, buy 2 of (one to keep and one to give away).

I started the book about 6 p.m and finished about 1 a.m; I could not put it down. Every golfer, every Masters fan, every body in Augusta will want this. Lots of great (and courteous) insider stories about the the Club; the creek, the community power fights about the creek; about great golfers, the caddies; the role of women; the founders of the club; the author's learning golf; rubbing elbows with Washington big whigs.

I know the author personally; I never dreamed her book would be interesting; I certainly never expected to be glued to her book, but it is a gem. I've got a couple of golfing buddies in mind who will want to read this book.

The story about the golfer who would "never" play with a woman was great...he parted with a dollar of two.

The "ownership" of the caddies, the nicknames of caddies and the nicknames given by caddies to their "horses" was fascinating.

The stories about the club president show a man "bigger than life."

Perhaps some of you know what trunk bangers are...now I know.

My grandmother lived a few blocks from the club and she rented to people who attended the Masters...so the book brings back memories...

Anyone struggling with golf, all you addicts out there, who day dream about shots, greens, the rough, creeks and sandtraps will identify with the author, whether male or female.

I'm not even a golfer, but my daddy was; and after listening to him talk golf, get down with 90, high on 72, talk about lights for night golfing, discuss the game over a few drinks, I found this book a clincher. I never expected to enjoy a book so much.

This novel is a treasure of times-gone-by Southern atmosphere. As the three central characters journeyed to their new home in Jerusalem, Georgia, down rutted dirt roadways enveloped in kudzu wines, I traveled with them through my own rural upbringing. The novel focuses on the emotional journey of Miss Amelia as she makes sense of her past and reconciles it with her future. It is a pleasure to go along for the ride, marveling at Trobaugh's rich and specific language and her considerable talent for telling a story.

Praise Jerusalem was a marvelous book. The three main characters are believable and captured my interest from the start. The story was surprisingly suspenseful for such a gentle, thoughtful book. Trobaugh's writing is simple and elegant, and she deals with serious themes deftly. And she has a great gift for humor. I enjoyed this book greatly, and would rank among the best books I've read in the past few years.

Praise Jerusalum! is my favorite book of the year. After getting it at the library, I had to buy my own copy. This is a story of an elderly woman facing a lot of changes in her life and life style while trying to live up to her mother's ingrained training of "maintaining appearances". It is funny, touching and has several interesting twists and turns.

My son (5 years old) loves this book. He likes for me to show him where on the maps we are and where we have been. He also likes to know where his extended family is located. (You have to love anything you can "sneak" some education in on.) It has excellent illustrations and interesting facts that will make this an enjoyable book for many years to come as my kids develope and expand their understanding capabilities.

Don't be fooled by the word "atlas" - this lovely children's book contains much more than just maps! Facts, figures, "fun" information connected to the part of the world you are perusing. Beautifully illustrated, extremely readable. Interesting even for the adults in this family. Its oversized (coffee-table) dimensions make you want to plop down on the floor with the book spread out before you, and just look for an hour or so. Or you can simply turn to the area of the world that you're interested in (or doing a school report on) and get a few quick facts.

This book is excellent for teaching your children geography and world culture. It is very reader friendly and extremely interesting. It touches on all parts of the world with the most relevant information. We bought it for our 6 year old son for Christmas and now find it to be a fabulous birthday gift for other children. Unlike a toy that gets played with for a month and then thrown into the toy box graveyard, this book will be a favorite for many years both as general interest reading and as a reference for school projects. Don't miss this one...at a great price too!

These Augusta Goodnight mysteries are wonderful with a cup of tea. This third installment of this clever and unique series, introduces the reader to Arminda who is recently widowed and visiting with her grandmother. Her cousin, Otto, is murdered and she finds the body! The story weaves around an antique quilt and family members from the past and present interlock to solve this mystery.

I'm looking forward to Mignon's next Augusta Goodnight read.

Arminda Hobbs has returned to her hometown of Angel Heights after the sudden death of her husband. She needs the comfort of her family. Unfortunately, she finds the body of her cousin Otto in the Ladies Room of Holley House, formerly the Minerva Academy. She also finds a curious pin. The design is reflected in an Alma Mater sampler done by her great grandmother, and a mysterious quilt passed along from member to member of a group of friends. How does this all tie into Otto's murder? Fortunately, she has her family and a guardian angel to help her.

The Augusta Goodnight series is fast becoming one of my favorites. The temporary guardian(her real job is tending heavenly strawberry fields) once again steps in to solve another mystery, in this case, she is tying up loose ends from a previous job. I found it very hard to put this one down and can't wait until the next one.

This may be the worst moment in Minda Hobb's life because she is mourning for her young husband she loved very much who died in a freak lightening accident while they were on a picnic. She moves back to her hometown of Angel Heights, South Carolina where she has another traumatic incident. In the woman's bathroom of Holley Hall, in the stall next to the one Minda was using, she comes upon the body of Cousin Otto.

At first everyone believed he died a natural death but the coroner rules it a murder. Feeling alone and frightened, Minda moves into the family home where she meets her temporary guardian angel, the heavenly Augusta Goodnight. Working together with some help from Minda's family, it is discovered that Otto's death and an attempt on Minda's life has its origin in a secret society two generations back who made a quilt that contained a deadly message somebody today doesn't want made public.

SHADOW OF AN ANGEL is a delightful and whimsical cozy costarring a protagonist that fans will like and sympathize with and her charming guardian angel. Augusta discreetly nudges Minda in the direction she wants her to go. The mystery itself is a cerebral teaser that will confound most readers but the joy in this novel is not the answer but the quest to find it.

Harriet Klausner

I thought that it was a good book because I like biographies. I especially liked the part when he went to the Latin School and he couldn't say the poem because the school master gave Ben the wrong poem. I recommend this book to you if you like to read biographies. I also recommend this book if you think that a president's life would be interesting.

us historians of our past...I highly recommend this biography of a young printer, Benjamin Franklin. Stevenson talks about the bigger of Ben's life, however going into smallest details in ocations(In my opinion: Like all biographers should.)This is a small price for a large book and may be ordered from Amazon.com!

Our daughter has recently read this book. She has dyslexia and read it without hesitation. She is 10 and the author mentioned in this book how she wrote easy reading for children who needed that type of reading. She targeted the audience perfectly in our situation. I found the book as refreshing as our daughter did. I have purchased the book on Amanzon.Com because it was the first available of a book that is not in circulation. The book and author has touched our lives in ways you will only know if you are in the world of dyslexia.