Dr. Pitkin presents a warm and nostalgic image of a Vermont childhood in the 1920-1930's. The book includes descriptive reminiscences of her parents' backgrounds in more remote areas of Vermont. In spite of some inaccuracies in names of people (Miss Welch, not Miss Walsh), and churches ( St. Francis De Sales and Sacred Heart are two churches in Bennington), the author develops a warm and pleasant account of friends, activities, and school and church life in small-town Vermont. The reviewer hopes that the author will continue with memoirs of her high school years.

Barbara Morgan Adams, BHS, class of 1943

With Touring Vermont's Scenic Roads: A Comprehensive Guide, native Vermonter Ken Aiken proves a splendid guide to Vermont's most spectacular roads showcasing Vermont's quintessential New England scenery, lovely farms and villages, historic sites, beautiful and awe-inspiring mountains -- all absolutely free from billboard road sign pollution. Touring Vermont's Scenic Roads is enhanced for the cyclists or motorist with fascinating histories, anecdotes, and glimpses of local color -- and provides precise road directions providing a true sense of Vermont's scenic splendor and New England charm. If you are touring Vermont for business or pleasure, don't leave home without your very own copy of Touring Vermont's Scenic Roads.

The Two Brothers New Children's Book Rockets Series to Prominence by J.B. McKinley

William Jaspersohn, Vermont author, has scored a 10 on whatever scale you choose to rate a children's book. His latest title, The Two Brothers, is a tale of immigration to Vermont and of reunion. It is an evocative and moving story that differs from the experience of so many who came to America, only in its surprise ending. The action moves along fast enough to capture and keep the attention of youngsters and the vocabulary does not talk down to anyone. Jaspersohn gives us clues to the casualness of immigration officials, sketches the weather and seasons of Vermont, and lets the reader glimpse the wonder of a new life in a new country - where hard work is still a constant, but anything can, and does, happen. As you read the book to your child, you will toss on the "rough and cruel" sea crossing; you can easily imagine the work on the Tucker Hill Farm - sugaring, plowing, cutting firewood and, finally fence building. It is this last activity in springtime, years after "Henry" immigrates, that brings us to the final happy meeting of brothers. But it is the unique format of The Family Heritage Series that tells us the two brothers actually lived and were the forebears of Vermont's Commissioner of Agriculture. The story is based on archives kept at the Vermont Folklife Center, in Middlebury. The idea for the series, which Jaspersohn's instant classic will undoubtedly catapult into importance in the world of children's literature, was first conceived about five years ago by Jane Beck, folklorist and director at the Folklife Center. She wanted to share the family stories collected and housed in Middlebury. "Family stories are tremendously important," she said. "Our best hope for the Family Heritage Series is that will not only bring to light some of the fascinating true stories that exist in families, but also serve as a catalyst for children to dig up - and value - their own family's stories." On the book's last page, children are urged to uncover family tales and are given easy, specific directions to become authors of their own family book. "It reminds us that everybody and every family has a story to tell," said Bill Jaspersohn. "The power of these kinds of stories is as great as the stories of Hollywood or the songs of...Britney Spears...they help all of us understand the American experience." The Two Brothers will be included on a soon to be published list of classic New England children's books compiled by Yankee Magazine. The book makes the top 40, with company such as Blueberries for Sal. "It's cool!" said Jaspersohn of making the list. The fact is, his book hadn't even officially been for sale by the time he made the list. "To be part of that kind of list is a big honor," admitted Jaspersohn. But what he likes most about his book is that "It's a form of giving power to kids." He believes including the last page of author and publisher instruction for kids is key. "We all have a hunger for the past." He believes we all instinctively feel the past holds lessons for us. But, the message is that books "don't drop out of the sky - they come from real people," said Jaspersohn. Actually, one could come from your child.

This monograph includes 99 ironworks sites (45 remains), 71 charcoal making sites (18 remains) and 118 lime kiln sites (93 remains). The introductions to the iron- and charcoal-making chapters thoroughly cover the historic development of methods and corresponding structures. The remarkable size of these almost unknown industries is astonishing. Also of interest is the discussion of the historic potash industry. The word "monograph" implies dry academic language, but this work manages to be both academic and sufficiently well-written to be easy reading. Unfortunately, some of the mining terminology and limestone chemistry is obsolete, and difficult for non-specialists to understand. Since Rolando describes the remains in detail, the book can be used as a guide for folks who like to poke around in the woods looking for historic remains.

A fantastic book and an essential one for all UVM alumni. Brings back incredible memories of Burlington and going to school at UVM.

This book is in a series of state books. It is informative and has great graphics. Everyhting you ever wanted to know about Vermont.

Gorgeous large format photography by Ron Thomas. Contains many beautiful photographs of the Vermont countryside, mostly in autumn colors, and spring bloom. Thomas used an 8x10 camera for much of the work. This book was published by Westcliff (founded by John Fielder) and was one of the nicest "state" themed books published by them, it's a shame it's no longer in print.

As a Vermont native I may be somewhat biased about my home state. However, should you obtain a copy of Vermont for Every Season you will understand the basis of my bias. Vermont for Every Season is reasonably accurate in its depiction of what a visiter to Vermont could expect to see throughout the course of the year. It depicts people living in a state which hasn't yet been developed to the point of being nothing more than a paved-over artificial human habitat. It reflects living life at a somewhat slower pace where the natural environment dictates the speed of life, not man. I strongly recommend this book. As you leaf through the pages you can almost feel the cold on a ski slope, smell the maple sap being boiled into maple syrup in the early spring, view cows in a peaceful pastoral setting in summer, or have your senses pleasantly assaulted by the colors of autumn. It's a super coffee table picture book. The photography is of the highest quality. Take this advice from an expatriot Vermonter - buy the book... it's worth the wait.

I stumbled on this delightful collection and enjoyed it thoroughly. Ms. Sullivan has assembled a treasure trove of Vermont lore that will charm any lover of New England and its history.

this is an enjoyable read for children and adults. It is here that I learned that Samuel de Champlain was the first white man to shoot an Indian, that Remember Baker lost his thumb in a fight for property rights, and that Vermont was the first state to forbid slavery in its constitution. The book mentions Vermont's ethnic (Black, Finish, Welch, Indian...) populations, and it reviews women's rights and contributions. It praises :( Act 250 as a model for controlling rural development. Yet, with all this 'grown-up' information, this book IS enjoyable for children and the stories are appealing. The book is very well arranged, so choosing a topic is easy. Line drawings in the margin encourage imaginative thinking and 'bookmark' information. There is an index, timeline, bibliography, and a list of interesting Vermont facts. We have used this book to teach Vermont history to five of our children (3rd and 4th grade level). I will continue to look for interesting, readable Vermont history books, but I HIGHLY recommend this book for reading by both children and adults.