This book would seem to be about a woman rebuilding herself after a trauma. It reads like a mystery, compelling the reader to turn page after page, disregarding the hour or their fatigue, to solve the problem. Yet it is understanding the problem that is the mystery.

This is a book about the power of first love, the love that becomes hardwired into the psyche, and is the standard, knowingly or unknowingly, for all loves to follow. Every testosterone ravaged teenaged male should read this to understand the powerful images that they cast on their first loves. If not, then we middle aged men should read it to understand the hole in our heart that we cannot explain. Every woman should read this to realize the grand oneness they seek is there for her. Both will come to understand the need for acceptance and redemption that comes from a powerful, and everlasting, love.

This is a story that will have reverberations that continue long after the book has been read. Expect great things from this writer of admirable sensitivity and wit.

Loved the book, all the characters, and especially great in the "setting" department. Hated the ending for reasons that would spoil it for others. Would be good for book clubs.

This author's second novel is strong, direct, and flows with seeming effortlessness. I often found myself reading sentences over and over because they are so beautiful. The maelstrom where Zoe and Gus are lost is simultaneously frightening and captivating. One can feel the majesty and the crystalline silence of it. The sexuality, to me, is handled just right - deftly, plainly, delicately, originally - very much better than so many other writers.

In short, I highly recommend this book for the quality of the writing, the intelligence of the story, and the sheer pleasure of watching the evolution of a fine writer.

A selection of recommended inns, delightful restaurants, resorts, festivals, the best places to stroll together under the stars or have a secluded champagne picnic - the most romantic places. This book visits special spots in in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont. Each place has been carefully selected, making sure that it offers something special - in-room fireplaces, four-poster beds, Jacuzzis, enchanting gardens, five-star cuisine.

"... a great pleasure to read, even if you're not looking for a place to stay. You can feel the authors were bent on romance... not just filling up the book. Accommodations are described in charming detail, also meals, with the occasional recipe. If you contemplate a getaway in new England, this is the book to take along." Travel Writer Marketletter

"[The] captivating prose invokes the spirit and visual appeal of the places described. [The book] provides perfect fodder for couples [and is] an indispensable planning assistant." About.com

I am a hypercritcal reader and I love it when I pick up a book I cannot stop reading. I have subsequently ordered all of Mosher's books and cannot wait to read them. Mosher is not a good writer he is a great American writer. He builds character and place like the master he is. Thank you Mr. Mosher.

I'm saddened to see far too many people pigeon-hole Howard Frank Mosher as a 'writer of regional interest' -- maybe only those who live along the Mississippi should read Mark Twain, then. True, Mosher's books all take place in Vermont -- but these are such well-written, absorbing stories, the characters so unforgettable, that any one who appreciates fine literature can thoroughly enjoy them.

This volume collects 6 of Mosher's short stories along with the title novella -- the latter being possibly his most well-known work, having been made into an exceptional film with the amazingly-talented Rip Torn in the role of a lifetime as Noel Lord, Mosher's cantankerous ex-lumberjack. Lord is mentioned in some of the other stories, as well as in some of Mosher's novels -- and other characters make appearances in more than one work as well.

Set in 1927 Vermont, 'Where the rivers flow north' takes the familiar theme of the rugged individualist going up against the evil, unfeeling corporation, and breathes new life into it. Mosher's flowing style, combined with his incredible ability to bring to the printed page all the nuances of his characters' personalities -- warts and all -- give this and all of his works the finishing touches that only a fine craftsman can give. Noel Lord's Native American housekeeper/wife, Bangor, is one of the most memorable characters you'll ever run across. She and Lord have a classic yin-yang relationship that, most likely, neither one would acknowledge. A reader from any part of the nation can get inside these people, can feel and experience everything that happens to them -- and any time we can do that, we can learn and we can grow.

The characters in all of the stories here are, as in all of Mosher's works, vividly drawn -- Alabama Jones, the innocent-but-worldly aspiring carnival performer -- Burl, an old woman lying in a nursing home waiting to die, looking back at her life with a combination of bitterness and longing -- Eban and Walter, brothers, neighbors, at odds in their life over things large and small, but brothers -- a man dying, clinging to life through a kept peacock -- a boy passes through a coming-of-age event, a flood, which changes forever the way he views both his brother and his father -- another man, Henry Coville, makes some painful recollections and decisions as he feels the end of his life approach. Mosher paints them all with the deft brush strokes of an artist who intimately knows his subjects and the landscape in which their lives are played out.

Howard Frank Mosher is an immensely talented, always entertaining writer -- he deserves to be widely read, and what a treat is awaiting those who read him for the first time...!

After I found out that my in-laws knew Howard Mosher personally and my husband had him as a teacher and coach in school and hung out with Howard's kids in high school I HAD to read a book written by him. This is the first book I read by Howard and I can't wait to read more. What a great illustration of Vermont in the early 1900's!

Garret Keizer's book, A Dresser of Sycamore trees is a thoughtful and carefully written book which describes the "everyday" work of the Holy Spirit in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Keizer's descriptions of his friends and neighbors in this small town are tremendous. He does an amazing job seeing God's presence in his everyday work and ministry as a vicar of a small church and a high school English teacher. He reminds me of what St. Francis is quoted to have said, "Preach the gospel. If necessary, speak." Garret Keizer preaches with his actions and through his descriptions of the lives of "ordinary" people. This is a must - read.

Garrett Keizer's story will settle even the most adventurous spirit from searching to enfolding an inner Spirit much more gratifying.

I am shocked that the publisher would describe this book as "a surprise critical sensation." It's prose alerts us to one Christian's view of the invisible Christ, manifest in people, things, and incidences. It is excellently, thought provokingly written. I cannot with my own words evoke the message of this book, so I will defer to the author, in a quote from his work. . . ."It is about mysticism and orthodoxy, ordinariness and sanctity, unity and diversity and about the intersection of all these things in a design that looks to me like a cross." -pg. 150 Read this book because it is about a common man doing the uncommon and thereby transforming his world, our world, into a place "set apart" for divine possiblities.

No home movies, no photo albums, no old songs warm myheart more than traveling through New England to some of the very places described in this book. That's where my memories lie. That's where my father took me, and his father before that.

And while I have moved away, there are two great reminders of a childhood that I can only describe as ecstatic. A picture on my wall of E.B. White. And Hickoff & Plumley's book about the best places to fish. Some I've been to. Some I was taken to by these authors.

For those of you who are not as nostaglic and wistful about New England, let me with all honesty say that this book will serve as a superb and practical guidebook. And for those who have a little something more connected to the region, this book is a blueprint for irreplacable memories.

And damned good fishing spots and tips.

I had the pleasure of attending a seminar by Steve Hickoff last winter. I bought this book from him at the seminar, and have used it a lot more than I ever thought I would. My family and I were on vacation at Sebago Lake in Maine recently, and the information in the book on Sebago Lake, the Crooked River, and the Presumpscott River was invaluable. The maps of the Crooked and Presumpscott rivers especially allowed me to get up early, get to a good fishing spot, and even catch a couple of fish (all before the rest of the family even knew I had gone fishing). I really like the Crooked River, it has become one of my favorites. As an earlier reviewer stated, this book gives you the information to get to the good spots, without wasting a lot of time driving around. The book also provided information on what sections of the rivers were fly fishing only, and the local regulations for taking trout and salmon. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who plans on doing any fly fishing in Maine, NH, and Vermont.

FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF VERMONT TO THE ALLAGASH IN MAINE TO SEACOAST OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. HICKOFF AND PLUMNEY KNOW WERE IT'S AT. FROM THEORY TO FLIES TO PRACTICAL INFO. THEY NOT ONLY TALK THE TALK, THEY WALK THE WALK. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANY FLY FISHERMAN RATHER A BEGINNER OR A EXPERT. TIGHT LINES, STEVE, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Dr. Jarvis provides clear information about how simple and inexpensive folk remedies can be used to treat a plethora of maladies.

I used Dr. Jarvis honey & vinegar for arthritis in l974. Then my finger joints were constantly sore. I've had no problem since. It also took care of constant indigestion problem. He says by adding this acid(vinegar) keeps our body slightly acid prevents many illnesses ie colds etc. I believe it. Indigestion is caused by the stomach not being acid enough. Only when it is acid enough will the empty valve open to empty the stomach.

I have more recently gotten a lot of benefit from

using kelp from his recommendation. Open heart surgery a year ago left me energy-less. Four weeks of kelp was like going around the corner. The shortage of iodine seems to be the key. e-mail texasjackreed@Bluebonnet.net

My mother was cured of arthritis from drinking Dr. Jarvis' solution of apple cider vinegar water. He also recommends many other old-fashioned cures. Among them--castor oil. My 13-year-old son had athlete's foot and applied caster oil to it and it was gone in two days. This was after using lots of drug store remedies. This is a book to keep in your medicine cabinet!

I first discovered this cookbook some years back when I was part of a group doing volunteer work in rural Brazil. Most of us were vegetarians, so we took this book along with us for recipe ideas. We were very limited on available ingredients and were forced to omit or substitute about half of everything that was required. Nevertheless, we produced really great dishes from that book. As soon as I got back to the US, I ordered a copy for myself and started cooking some truly amazing meals!

The Horn of the Moon Cookbook has a lot going for it. First, unlike most other vegetarian cookbooks, it does not concern itself with fat content. (A lot of the dishes are extremely high in fat.) There are plenty of resources out there for people looking to reduce fat or cut calories, and most vegetarians, even those who are highly health conscious, are willing to splurge now and then for something really good. (Just like people who eat meat.)

Also, I was amazed by the number and variety of recipes. When I first got the book, I didn't know where to begin. Salads, sandwiches, soups, pastas, pizzas, desserts, breakfast foods -- it all looked so good, and the results almost never disappointed. (The only notable exception was the cashew french toast.) This book will keep you busy for weeks!

In addition, the recipes will appeal to everyone, not just vegetarians. If you have a friend or relative that you want to introduce to a vegetarian lifestyle, just cook them a few meals using these recipes. Or if you are a non-vegetarian and need to plan a meal for a group of people containing some vegetarians, use this book. The vegetarians will appreciate it, and the non-vegetarians will enjoy it and probably not even notice the lack of meat.

My favorite recipe is the one for Pizza Alfredo. I guarantee you've never had pizza like this before! Every time I make it, I'm always amazed when I take the first bite at how good it is. I also enjoy the Black Bean Soup a lot. I usually quintuple the recipe (I have a very large pot.) and freeze most of it to make it last, so I can have a bowl every day for a month, or longer. Also, every halloween, I buy an extra pumpkin (in addition to the one for the jack o'lantern) to make the Pumpkin Pie recipe. That's now part of my halloween tradition.

If you are a vegan, you probably won't get as much out of this book as people who are willing to eat dairy products and eggs. There is a lot of dairy in this book! But there are some vegan recipes, and of course you can adjust some of the other recipes to your needs. The same goes for people who are really watching their fat intake.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. Different recipes will appeal to different people, and it would be hard to imagine someone who couldn't find at least a handful of recipes in it that would delight them. This is definitely my favorite cookbook; I've never found one that even comes close!

Excellent recipes for those who don't eat meat. Even for those who can't live without their Big Macs, this wonderful cookbook will pleasantly surprise you with very tasty meatless entrees, soups, sandwiches, delicious cookies, breads and cakes. This is not your ordinary vegetarian cookbook. Now my favorite cookbook!

I'm not a vegetarian, but I received this book as a gift a few years ago. It is now almost as dog-eared and food-stained as my Joy of Cooking. Every recipe I've tried is delicious, and most use ingredients that are easy to get. My non-vegetarian family loves the recipes too. Horn of the Moon is a restaurant, so the dishes have to be ones that people will actually order.

Here in a single volume is one of the best collections of beautiful photographs of Vermont I have as yet examined. They were taken by Vermont Life magazine's contributing photographers, with a crisp and eloquent text provided by Tom Slayton. Technically, I guess, this would be called a "coffee table book" and indeed that is where it resides in my home, except when I pore through it again (which I do each day) or when a family member or guest does so. The reproduced art (which such great photography truly is) is organized logically and appropriately according to the four seasons. Many persons who have never visited Vermont perhaps think of it in association with the poetry of Robert Frost. There are many other locales elsewhere in New England (notably in northwest Connecticut and throughout New Hampshire and Maine) could just as easily provide images which Frost's poetry evokes. For me, however, there is a texture and there are certain nuances to Vermont ("A State of Nature") which are unique. They are captured vividly in the stunning photographs provided in this volume.

Pretend that you have arrived in the state and have retained Slayton as your tour guide. "Take us to your favorite places. Help us to understand why you are so fond of each place. In other words, introduce us to Vermont at its best." In essence, that is what this volume does. The initial impact is so great, so enjoyable, that you will wish to return again and again. A magnificent volume such as this enables you to do so. Those who share my passion for Vermont are urged to subscribe to Vermont Life magazine. Also, to purchase Richard W. Brown's The Soul of Vermont.

As a frequent tourist to the Green Mountain State, I found this book to be a fantastic collection of all the reasons I continue to come back year after year. Gorgeous, stunning photography of the four best reasons to visit Vermont - summer, winter, spring and fall. Not to be overlooked, though, is the captivating and conversational prose by Vermont Life Editor, Tom Slayton. He effortlessly puts into words the many feelings the state's beauty evokes. A fantastic book to add to any collection of New England or photography books.

Vermont Life magazine has been featuring striking photographs of the natural beauty of this New England state for more than fifty years. The best of those images have been assembled in The Beauty Of Vermont and enhanced with an informative, reader friendly text by Tom Slayton as the reader is treated to Vermont's Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter landscapes and charm. The Beauty Of Vermont is a lovely book for browsing and will provide both inspiration and motivation for family trips and personal sojourns to see and explore more of Vermont's natural beauty and folksy charm.

Joe Gunther needs to escape from Brattleboro. The pressures of his job and his deteriorating relationship with his girl friend have become too much so he takes a temporary assignment in Gannet, Vermont. Gannet is where he spent many happy summers while growing up and he hopes the atmosphere will help him get back on track. However, a mysterious fire that leaves five dead, a strange cult, a missing young woman, and a murder blamed on his boyhood friend Rennie, all place Gunther right back in the hot seat as he tries to unravel who killed who.

As in all Gunther novels the police work is believable and the characterization is strong. Gunther is not a fiery detective but he is methodical and eventually puts all the pieces together. I didn't feel that this novel was as strong as "The Skeleton's Knee" or "Fruits of the Poisonous Tree" but it is still a good read for mystery lovers.

All of Archer Mayor's books have a gripping story line. Although the stories are first class, the pictures drawn with words as the story unfolds are the best that I have ever encountered. The magnificent metaphors can create, in less than one sentence, images that may take other authors pages.

Although each book is independent in and of itself, I enjoy reading the stories in sequence. There is a steady progression in character development and interpersonal relationships as we go from story to story.

If you are a mystery fan, I am sure that you will enjoy the entire series as much as I have. If you are a student taking a course in creative writing, I don't think that you will find a better word artist than Archer Mayor.

As a frequent visitor of Brattleboro Vermont, I can tell you that Mr. Mayor knows the town and it's surrounding area like no one else. However, the real reason this novel and all his subsequent works are so gripping is because of his excellent characterization and ability to build suspense. All his characters are well drawn, but his protagonist, Joe Gunther is so real, that I have trouble believing he is fictional. A great read for all who appreciate realism in a mystery.

Haddassah (Dossi for short) is a Jewish girl lives in a cramped apartment in New York City. Her sister (Ruthi) signs her up for a Fresh Air Fund which sends poor children too the country for 2 weeks in the summer. Dossi leaves excited and yet afraid to go on vacation with a family she doesn't know in Vermont for 2 weeks. She is stunned by things in the country and doesn't even know what fireflies are. This is one fault that I found with the book, she seems to know NOTHING of the country, now I can believe she's never milked a cow, but some of the things she had never seen are unbelievable. Anyway during the book she sprouts friendship and learns new things of her trip. She meets new people and learns what the lovely countryside is like. This is a really fast paced book, you should be able to finish it within an hour or so, but nonetheless it is worth reading.

Dossi is a poor girl who lives in the city.Her parents and younger sister,Velvel have passed away.Dossi's sister,Ruthi is the one who will take care of them.She works in the factory.When Ruthi signs Dossi up to be sent to the country,on a Fresh Air Fund vacation,Dossi is terrified and surprised.Soon,the day had come to go to the country.Dossi packed her bags and brought along a library book which was a new one.She and her friend,Mimi, didn't tell the librarian that Dossi was taking it away.Dossi prommises Ruthi that she will send a postcard to her as soon as she reaches her destination.In the country,she meets the gentile Meade family.Nell and Emma are around Dossi's age.Mr. Meade and Mrs. Meade also have two sons,Timothy and Edward.Nell chats nineteen to a dozen.Emma doesn't.There are a lot of things that Dossi hasn't seen.Like fireflies,cows,two yolks in one egg and many other things.She learns about a man named Snowflake Bentley.He is mad about snowflakes.Snowflake Bentley also takes photos of snowflakes not people.Dossi likes Nell but she wants to befriend Emma too.But Emma treats her like if she is not there.Will Dossi be able to befriend Emma before her holiday in the country ends?

This is a good story about a girl who spends a few weeks with a family that is very different from her own. Dossi learns other people have alot to offer her and she has alot to offer in a friendship,too. Hurwitz is a wonderful author; she makes the characters and situation come alive.