Being from the area the book covers, it was ...
342801
Being from the area the book covers, it was a trip down memory lane. I had tipped a few in the Ideal Cafe in my youth.
3458333
My family was and is from that area.  It gave me an insight into what life was like during those years.  I also, learned some history about people, that I knew or knew of, that was so interesting.
4083942
I enjoyed it, possibly because I hail from the area and it was good to "hear" the language of my early school days. I digress, it was a good read and difficult to suss out the villain too early on.
81927
The book is good and provided some good information.
931301
Good book even if you do not know the area, but if you do you will enjoy it even more.
3105353
My grandson-in-law grew up in the area about which the book was written.  He was excited to receive it as a birthday gift, and continues to tell us how much he enjoys reading it.  It may not be as interesting to someone who doesn't enjoy historical events and has no knowledge of the areas spoken of in the book.
3908874
Good story, but since I grew up in the area where the story takes place I could see the artistic license taken on the geographic side of the story.  I did like it other than that
793162
I liked this book because it was set in the area in Illinois where I grew up.  It was interesting to me to see names of places that I knew as a child.  I walked to many of the areas that were mentioned.  I think anyone that likes the period of history before and during the Civil War would like the book.
3956295
Having grown up in the area referenced in the book, it was interesting to read about familiar references that just enhanced my enjoyment of the book.
3234557
A good book on a subject covered in many variations since the War to End All Wars. The author manages to bring out some new perspectives and the book has some photographs I have not seen before. The coverage of the WW1 in the mid-east was a part of the war that I knew very little about.  How  the French and English divided the area to benefit their  economic interest  highlights the geographic factors that underlie cultural and religious divisions that plague the area today.
125675
I visited the area before I read this book and fell in love with the beauty of the area. I even considered retiring there. However, after reading this book, I will have to find another place. While the book is somewhat technical, it presents the material in an interesting and easy to understand way. It is certainly a scenario that is not highly publicized and I can see why. It may never happen but then again who knows when it will. The author did a good job of laying out all the facts. I highly recommend the book.
4904097
I didn't read it cover to cover, I just used it as a resource for certain college towns of interest because I agree they make the best retirement locations. For me, it's a good book to have on the shelf.
3955251
The book reflects the times when the book was published
1330117
Loved the local aspects of this book and the subject was of interest to me. The writing left a bit to be desired.
4574002
The best part of the read was last 2 chapters.  Being from Ohio  and close to the area  it hit home  with the hardships  and biases instilled in as at a early age.
1758530
the book was ok even though is was a little bit more used than what I expected, but  it's a book that has been around for awhile
3526447
While many reviewers have read this "book" or parts thereof, I have afforded the author no such courtesy. Instead, I've opted to judge this book by its cover.