We hear the phrase "it could happen to any of us" so often but most of us don't believe it. This book will tell you how easily it can happen. The stories of these women are heartwrenching, but yet, very educational. I could not put this book down and since reading it, I have been looking for similar books to purchase. We all need to educate ourselves more about people on the street. We should be outraged that this can happen in a rich country as ours. Next time you see a homeless person, don't look at that person in disgust and be jugdemental. Instead, think of ways you may be able to help.

I had to read this book...and comment on it. Like Thomas O'Connor, I am also a native of Southie. Using a voluminous store of references, and countless personal interviews, O'Connor has written the most comprehensive history of "The Town" I've ever read. He takes the reader from the very beginnings of life in the relatively isolated peninsula settlement, through the cultural, ethnic, occupational, and religious history of the residents, emphasizing their insular nature, seemingly always at odds with the rest of Boston and other outsiders, right through the 80's.

The detailed background information provided by O'Connor over an entire chapter, regarding the forced busing for school integration and ensuing Southie riots, will give the non-Southie(and maybe some Southies also) reader a much better understanding, and different perspective, on the town. O'Connor is clear on the causes of the riots, namely a clueless judge following the path paved by a self-serving state legislature that passed a law which would preclude busing to Boston's lily-white suburbs, compounded of course by Southie's insular nature and desires to maintain their neighborhood schools. I recommend Michael MacDonald's recently published "All Souls" for a terrific read on the tragic experiences of one very poor Southie family in the projects during the those riots in the 70's, and on through the 80's, into the 90's.

Overall..a terrific historic work on South Boston by O'Connor..the best Ive ever read.

The Smithsonian Natural Guides are my new bibles for travel. Who really cares about those guides for motels, restaurants and cheesy attractions anyhow? These guides take one to the real America behind (and often above) the tourist traps!

Finch and Wallen team up to the best of their expertise with splendid descriptive writing and photography (the latter always a trademark of this series!). Cape Cod, The Berkshires, the Connecticut and Rhode Island Coasts as well as other areas of natural interest are brought right to the reader and make you want to go there immediately and see what you've just read about.

These essays should be included in any personal collection of books on the Cape, because they fill a gap by paying sensitive tribute to some of the smaller natural areas owned and managed by local conservation commissions and private conservation trusts. The brief essays are artfully developed by Robert Finch and boldly illustrated by Ellen Raquel LeBow. Each of the twenty-four 'special places' that are the book's subject are visited by Finch on foot and the commentaries are filled with information about the land and its vegetation. But the real value behind this reading experience lies in the way the reader is able to vicariously participate in the luxury of unhurried reflection with the writer as he interacts with these diverse areas. There is no reason to hurry a reading of this book in the way you would not gulp a glass of fine wine. Finch's essays are intended as an "invitation" to experience those "unanticipated intersections between the place and the visitor which cannot be found in trail guides". Finch experiences many unforced special moments and readers will find their own favorite 'places' even before the opportunity to act on his offer to search them out. The essays take us from the base of the Cape through to Provincetown and across the water to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket islands. Directions are given to each of the natural areas described. A helpful listing of various presiding conservation commission addresses and telephone numbers is provided at the back of the book.

I LOVE THIS BOOK AND WOULD RECOMEND IT TO ANY ONE ! IT IS VERY INFORMITIVE! WOW!

It was an excellent display of photographs, but the price was far from reasonable (it cost $120 used). I recommend it for any die-hard Spenser fans, but otherwise, don't bother.

Spinner Publishing has followed up on their first book magnificantly. THey have ince again found the soul of the people of southeastern mass and portrayted it via photos and history in a way that is entertaining as well as informative. Great for any one from Mass or interested in the history of this great state

I bought 2 copies, one for myself and one for my sister-in-law who lives in the Northeast. This is a great present. Jana does a great job! I can't wait for her next publication.

I was doubtful when a friend gave this to me. It sounded hardboiled and I don't read those. It was a marvelous surprise. The characters are real, well-rounded people. Cuddy is not what you expect and keeps surprising you. I particularly like his recurrent conversations with his dead wife, Beth. I just ordered all the ones I couldn't find at my local store! I can't recommend Cuddy and his friends highly enough. It won't be what you think

Having been born and raised in North Adams, I have been impacted by Manning's ability to paint "word pictures" of memories of my past. I felt as if I were standing with him during his interviews with North Adams residents. I eagerly await his sequel.