"Hard Bottom" is an insider's tale of life on Cape Cod in recent years. It is the story of a fisherman pressured from all sides, scraping up against "hard bottom" (the rocky ground that's often the only place left for him to fish, and also of course a metaphor for the situation he's in). The details are accurate in everything from diesel engines to social stratification on the Cape. This Cape Cod is the one where the hospital's "Brightly lit 'pavilions' stretch right and left to absorb the Cape's different vectors of agony: speed, alcohol, old age. Cancer and AIDS." But the book is best in depicting the interior life of one man as the pressures build into a kind of "perfect storm" within. It is an exploration of character and a mapping of the forces that drive people to extremes. In fine prose, Michelsen captures elusive emotions, such as those felt upon leaving the Cape, "Perhaps the feeling is not so much excitement as a negative--a lack of depression. Because I am so used to Cape roads where every curve unfolds into a further stretch of ruined wilderness: another copse leveled, another ranch-house built, another marsh filled in, another mini-mall lifted into the flinching sky." In its last pages, "Hard Bottom" seems to suggest that there might even be a way to at least live with the Cape the way it is now after all the bad blood and loss and change, a way to "come out the other end and still be looking at the same ocean." Recommended for Cape Codders and anyone interested in reading about the real Cape Cod.

This book was really good for what its worth, you should buy it if you want to learn about those areas, see ya later.

Every populated area on this planet harbors non-fiction accounts of ghosts, but for some reason England has a stronger association to them more than any other country. With over a millennium's worth of royalty and some of the grotesque violence and injustice that has happened there, it's almost expected England's castles, houses, various other structures and thoroughfares carry the weight of so many lingering traumas. HAUNTED ENGLAND: A SURVEY OF ENGLISH GHOST-LORE documents some of the most fascinating encounters that have occurred in this particular section of the United Kingdom.

Author Christina Hole focuses on the different types of ghosts who have appeared in England, including those that warn the living whose time has nearly come, have a mission, guard their remains, and reenact those events that make them cling to the physical world. Other stories include poltergeists, animal spirits, and ghosts of England's great.

Most of the stories are anecdotal and rarely go beyond the living person's encounters with the dead. One of the aspects that makes this volume intriguing is that most of the cases she selected are taken from historical documentation. Keeping in mind this book was first released in 1940, few of the reports she provides come from contemporary sources. Many of the occurrences took place during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries and include such primary sources as Robert Dale Owen, son of the famed New Lanark entrepreneur and early 19th century socialist, and John Wesley, founder of the Methodists.

One story, from the 18th century, describes how the financially well set-up Ricketts family tried to discover the source of a man's heavy footsteps and the rustling of a woman's skirts in their "comfortable" home. A couple of murdered pregnant women return to see their scornful lovers brought to justice. There are reports of how apparitions of Henry II, as a lad, and his guardians were seen in an area where he was kept under protective custody during the struggles between Stephen and Matilda. Also included are the inevitable ghostly accounts of some of Henry VIII's wives, especially Anne Boleyn.

Hole reports a phenomenon at Northamptonshire's Althorp estate, ancestral home and final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales. Since this book was released long before Diana's parents were married, it obviously doesn't exploit its royal association. However, it may partly explain Diana's interest in the paranormal.

Those of British descent might find the some of the tales of particular interest. With the large number of names mentioned in this book, there's no telling if some these anecdotes might be genealogical finds. Hole does make a point of excluding Wales from her survey, though.

Hole could have made the book a little more captivating if mediums or psychic investigators were brought in for their impressions on the hauntings, but her efforts to verify the legends behind them make her book satisfactory reading. HAUNTED ENGLAND is well worth it to anyone who enjoys a quick jolt when things go bump in the night.

On Halloween 2001, acting Governor Jane M. Swift signed a bill exonerating the last five women who died during the Salem Witch Trials and whose innocence was never officially acknowledged by the local government. The fact that 20 people were put to death for crimes based on spectral evidence is--ironically--an ideal setup for harvesting ghosts. HAUNTED SALEM & BEYOND takes advantage of Salem's heritage to introduce another supernatural aspect when most people are more interested in exploiting its association with witchcraft. Whatever points this book scores in taking advantage of this overlooked creative slant, it loses a few for its lack of depth.

This slim 2001 volume contains 26 true ghost stories of Salem's netherworld, black and white photos of the sites, a bibliography, and list of local touring companies.

The apparition of Giles Corey, an octogenarian who was crushed to death when he refused to cooperate with local authorities during the Salem Witch Trials, warns of impending disasters coming to the area. At Witch Hollow Farm in Boxford, one former resident claims she heard her name being called and seeing a green light shining from within her bedroom, but it faded when she opened the door. After the fishing schooner CHARLES HASKELL collides with another during a storm, the HASKELL's crew refuses to work when dead fishermen from the sunk boat climb aboard and goes to work as usual.

I have taken a serious personal interest in the Massachusetts colonies after learning a few generations of my ancestors were among its early settlers. Several of those executed in the witch trials had already prolifically propagated before they died and have a wealth of descendents. Genealogists are frequently formidable historians themselves, but the documents they usually pursue provide facts with few details. Here's a book that focuses on the outcome of conflicts and emotions that may not receive much coverage and yet give new insights as to how our progenitors lived.

Unfortunately, Author Lynda Lee Macken falls short of providing enough detail to make her tales satisfying. Her accounts consist of warmed-over information that this reviewer has already learned from other sources without producing anything fresh. There is no consultation with primary sources and she offers no new personal insights to these paranormal anecdotes.

On the other hand, the list of local touring companies is a welcome ingredient that can be helpful to anyone who intends to sightsee this eclectic aspect of the Salem area. Readers requiring magnifying glasses should appreciate its large type, although the choice of font would be a poor one for reading in long sittings.

Determining Macken's intent in putting HAUNTED SALEM & BEYOND together makes it difficult to judge how many stars it deserves. Noting its graphic design and the brevity of its accounts, one can only assume that it is meant as an introductory document to Salem's ghostlore. For anyone looking for something more comprehensive search for other sources, but this book can be a helpful guide to anyone visiting the area.

This book is a glowing account of Thoreau's character, written later in life by Ralph Waldo Emerson's son Edward. Edward knew Thoreau up until the latter's death in 1862, when Edward was about 17. He has supplemented his own memory with interviews and anectdotes given him by other Concord citizens who knew the Thoreau family. These writings are a valuable resource for anyone who is researching Thoreau, with its humanizing slant and defence of its subject against perceived misunderstandings by the public. Any Thoreau fan will find this brief tract illuminating and amusing.

this is a great book for kids. I should know i am one! anyway its bout a girl by the name of hester Bidgood,she was adopted by her aunt Mistress Bidgood in 1692. At the town meetinghouse there was a kitten in the middle of the road branded with an iron cross. There were clues pulled out of it by Rob (a friend of Hesters). Rob is a boy who grew up with the indians. As they find clues together they solve the mystery of what had happened that stormy night. Some think it was an act of the devil and witch craft done by the owner Goody Wilson, and others think it was from a lightning strike, but Hester and Rob know that it was niether. And the mystery behind it all is... Well you can find out for yourself! Thanks for reading!

Well the title says it all and delivers the goods. I was able to visit many of the places in the book and found that the information provided was accurate and useful.

Beacuse of the maps and hidden information provided, I was able to shift my plans around to include a day trip to the Cape and it was so worth it. I intended to use the Boston information more but the book became "hidden" when I returned the car and I couldn't remember all the places I wanted to visit based on the information. For the information provided, it's worth the investment.

The guide is clear and descriptive. It provides levels of difficulty as well as a time table for each hike or walk. I recomend it to anyone who will be visiting the Berkshires for extended periods of time and really enjoys getting outside. Great for those who live in Boston or other urban areas of eastern Massachusetts and want to explore the other side of the state on weekends.
There is one complaint. In my opinion the walks in the book are a waste of space. They may be suitable for the disabled or catch the eye of the wealthy that visit Stockbridge and Lenox..But overall a joke...
If you are not great with maps and figuring out your own hikes from topo then this is your book...Your only book... The William College Outing Club in Williamstown, Massachusetts also has a nice guide. I believe you can get it over the internet thru the college website. Visit the Berkshires...Buy a book..Go for a hike!

A Helpful guide to hikes along the Appalation Trail in Maine. The guide gives general information as well as specific information about the trail. Each hike includes specific places, distances, where to find a lean-to, and water.

Although there are only 2 dozen trails described, the author provides very good trail descriptions and directions to the trailhead. Repro's of USGS maps for the trails are included but are a little hard to read because of their reduced size. Still, all-in-all, I recommend it.