We've all heard the old saw that those who ignore the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. As we face growing environmental crises throughout the globe at the outset of the 21st century, it's critical for those who hope to maintain our planet's delicate balance to understand the history behind environmental movements of the past, and where reformers have succeeded and failed in their efforts to confront a rapidly changing society's impact on the natural world.

In Reasonable Use, Cumbler, an environmental historian at the University of Louisville, traces the dramatic shift New England experienced between the Colonial era and the pre-World War II period. Focusing mostly on the 19th century and the impact of industrialization, overfishing, deforestation and the arrival of dams and cities along the Connecticut River during that time period, Cumbler describes not only how states like Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire reacted to increased pollution but also the characters who drove the responses and how each of the major players reflected broader themes and approaches to humans' role in the natural world.

The major players - people like Henry David Thoreau, Henry Ingersoll Bowditch, George Perkins Marsh and Theodore Lyman - represented the range of elite thinking during that time. The questions they faced regarding the value of fish to an ecosystem, the effect of pollution on populations, the problem of waste disposal and - most important - the comparative merits of industrial progress versus a clean environment, are all questions that we still confront today. Though the unobservant reader may miss it, Cumbler also offers particularly pointed commentary on the critical lessons those who hope to effect environmental reforms today should learn from the failures of those who sought to go up against the entrenched powers of industry in 19th century New England.

So while the casual observer may mistakenly assume that this book will appeal primarily to those with a regional interest in the area and era, in fact Cumbler offers a wealth of judiciously documented thoughts on the nature of the relations of power, paarticularly as they interact when the object of the struggle - the environment - cannot speak for itself.

Also, besides delivering an engrossing and thoughful historical document, Cumbler additionally weaves a compelling tale that maintains the readers interest, even as he shares scientific data regarding such esoterica as the composition of dissolved oxygen in a water system or the workings of fishways in a dam. The book is well-written and deserves a broader audience than merely environmental history buffs. We can all pick up a thing or two from Henry Bowditch et al, and John Cumbler makes the lessons easy to learn.

I fell in love with Rebecca when I was 10 yrs. She was so cheerful, inspiring, naive, and reminded me a lot of Anne of Green Gables. This series takes the book that is originally by Kate Wiggin and expands it. Eric Wiggin follows and gives more detail about her as she continues to grow. Rebecca is charming and by her patient love wins over her crusty Aunt Miranda. At 11 Rebecca goes to live with her mother's sisters: Aunt Miranda and Aunt Jane. Everyone says living with Aunt Miranda will be the "making" of Rebecca. My family just listened to this on tape and I was again reminded of how delightful it is.

What a great way to end a wonderful series. For those of you who loved Anne of Green Gables you will adore Rebecca Rowena Randall! The way she takes care of her mom and Aunt Jane is so sweet. Of course, Emma Jane is there also. Life wouldn't be the same without her. Mr. Aladdin is taking on a whole new role! Never leave him out of the picture. Even if you haven't read the first 2 in this series and have only read the book by Kate Wiggin this book is still enjoyable. I read this when I was 12 and I still love it. Unfortunately, classics like these are no longer written or read these days.

A really helpful tool when planning a trip. Each entry has a list that front which includes contact info, how many rooms, extras, grounds, rates and directions. Then there's a writeup that gives you some flavor about the B&B, the owners, the interior design and the cooking. There are a set of indexes in the back that are really helpful for those seeking particular features (e.g. B&Bs with swimming pools, B&Bs that accept pets, near bodies of waters or mountain B&Bs) or particular location (B&Bs in the Finger Lakes region).

Abigail Bailey keeps a diary of her thoughts and feelings relating to her abusive marriage. Abigail's perspective is historic, as she lived in New England in the early foundations of America, but also contemporary, as she writes of the pains, hopes, and struggles of living with an abusive husband. Abigail Bailey's faith played an integral part of her decision-making process, and anyone who wants to understand how Christianity and spirituality contributes to the plight of the abused wife is urged to read this book. It gives a birds-eye view of the inner dynamics of the abusive relationship and Christianity's relationship to those dynamics. While the memoirs stand on their own, the editor does a thourough job of explaining the social, political, and historical contexts of Abigail's life. The only downfall is that it is "heavy" reading, as the language Abigail used is old-English, and one may need to labor more than usual in reading and interpeting it. It is well worth it, though!

Even though I have read many books and short stories by great authors and is dazed, and full of admiration of their work, it happens once in a while, that a book or a story, that one has never heard mentioned goes right in to your heart and won't let go. That is what Mary Wilkins Freeman's stories did to me. I felt as if I had found a friend. There is such a pleasure to be found in her stories, the fluent and smooth style, easily understood by all, as well as a lesson in living your life at your own pace. She is so unaffected and natural in her storytelling, that these stories, which easily could have taken place, are sweet, tender, bitter and then full of resistence. Her character do not always behave. The stories are mostly about New England country women, for whom Freeman has obviouly a great sympathy for and she writes about them with respect and affection

This is a great book! Every time I am stumped on a local history question I can turn to this book and find the answer painlessly. As a guide to restaurants and attractions it just can't be beat. I recommend this book to locals and visitors as a great reference source.

This book is great because it contains tons of photos spanning the complete history of Crescent Park in Riverside, Rhode Island. It has become a treasured heirloom because most of my family (McCuskers, Phillips, and Martin's) grew up working at the park. Even though I wasn't around during the parks hayday, having been born in the mid-1970's, stories about the park still fascinate me to this day.

This is one of the best town history books that I have seen in Vermont. The pictures are great, with lots of the 1927 flood.
Too bad it is out of print

A well written documentary of the 1996 Superbowl Run by well known Boston Globe Author Bob Ryan. An informative behind the scenes look of each game in a season that was one to remember. Patriots fans should definitely snag this one. This is a collectors item that a true Pats fan shouldn't be without!