What a fascinating  life to have lived
581676
I have wandered around much of the world however not in such a colorful manner. What interested me most was  how good or evil is expressed when one acquires power. A fascinating read for anyone with an adventurous soul.
3995925
This is a fascinating book that can be read on two levels.

While obviously a personal family history book it is also a most interesting study of life as it really was, in the old south.

How did people survive and prosper during much simpler times?  Shelley delves into not only their lives, but how they lived them, describing the homes, the towns and the interactions of her early family.

While the well written stories are about her personal early family, we can all relate -- and take a lesson from the faith and determination of the people who came before us.  Where did we come from!

Any serious history buff will find this book a most interesting read.  I did!
438718
A wonderful story of an amazing life journey.  I also found it touching in so many ways.  Life is fascinating
and special especially when you embrace it as A. K. Driggs has.
4676571
This is a most interesting picture of a lifestyle long gone.  It is really incredible how the wealthy lived so totally in a world of their own. Written with candor and humor.  A really engaging story.
2630132
I LOVE READING ABOUT THIS ERA AND THE INTERESTING PEOPLE WHO LIVED THEN.  THIS LADY WAS THERE AND IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL.  FACINATING.
1226292
It was fantastic.  Interesting to here what his mind set was all through his life.  Be the best that I can be.  He has done that and more.
650953
This is a wonderful book about a young woman who lived 100 years ago that I so wished I could have know.  Her life was so full, so interesting, and her challenge of living and teaching school in a remote Arizona town tells about her character.  Read this book....you won't want to put it down!!!  I can't wait to read about the next segment of her life in the California Mountains.
4044499
Never has a biography so enthralled. I am completely fascinated.
2664652
I found it hard to put down.  What an amazing and interesting life!  Each period of the author's story contained so much information about the times as well as the author.  The honesty, particularly as he gets older, is refreshing.  It gives such insight into the issues we all face as we get older.
2780808
I'm apparently about the same age as the author and am always curious to hear someone else's experience of the times I've lived in.  In this case, Mr. Maberry and I couldn't have lived more disparate lives if we'd tried.  I don't think I could have survived Mr. Maberry's life and I appreciate his sharing the way his inner life as well as his circumstances have unfolded to this point.  He survived things that have only scared me from a distance and he has achieved things I've only dreamt about from a distance.  I'm so impressed with the way he has developed his life.  I'm especially delighted to have read his account of his experience of the '60s and '70s, two decades I didn't fit into very well.  Like Forrest Gump, Mr. Maberry made me re-evaluate that era in a more favorable light.  In fact, this book made me re-evaluate a lot of things.  Even if this were a big book, I would highly recommend it.  It would be worth your time.  But it's a small book and reads very fast.  No matter what your own experience in life, I think you will find this book interesting and impressive, and it may just lead to a whole new life for you, a new awakening.
509686
It is hard to believe that so many events could have taken place in one woman's life, but I have met Gail, the author, and she is truthful and open.  Her account of her childhood with her ill sister impacting the family, with her hide-bound grandma making her life miserable and then suffering from Gail's tricks, with the boys, boys, boys consuming her mind - these combine to show us in part how she became the gutsy woman she grew into.  But gutsy or not, she hooked up with some very mean men along the way - and married some of them. Her struggle to free herself of these unsuitable marriages and become an independent, successful entrepreneur is gripping. You will laugh; you will cry; you will get very, very angry, and you will be inspired. Gail triumphs through it all because she is strong and because she had unexpected help along the way. Thank goodness she worked her way through the brambles of her life because now we get to read this account of a remarkable woman living on the shores of Lake Erie. Many women will relate to her story and some may even derive encouragement. And I believe, that is why Gail has been so open about the asses and angels she has met in her life. As she has said, if she can triumph over adversity, so can others.
1072996
This was so much more than I had expected it to be. This is a life story worthy of the pen! I was so enthralled from start to finish. I have a vague recollection of seeing this on the news when it happened and reading Allena's recent AMA on Reddit made me want to learn more about her experience. I thought I would just be reading about her run in with the bear and recovery but only a small portion of the book at the end is devoted to that. Yet her life experiences are so delightfully vibrant and diverse.  I would love to meet her one day. Although my life has not been quite as colorful, I feel a kinship with her...I feel like we were cut from the same bolt in many of our life views. Definitely a great read.
2370140
What a fascinating journey Kate has been on in her life. Many of us only dream of taking the leap from the security of a good career to truly live our life. Her strength and courage battling through her serious health problems are inspiring. She demonstrates her will to live and her strong love for her husband.  I envy her lifestyle, traveling, meeting new people and teaching in other countries, I look forward to more adventures from Kate Evans.
2284733
A remarkable life this man lived, and he did more living in his first 25 years then most do in 80. This book captivated my attention from beginning to end. And I was sad when it was over.
2501915
I was Suoqun's friend at Penn in the early 80's.  I had no idea then of his humble backround.  He was so smart, so kind and gentle.  He never revealed his background to me.  I wish he had, but now, reading this fascinating autobiography of his, written in his own, simple, straightforward voice, it's almost as if I had him here telling me the story of his life himself.  Readers who want a true portrayal of village life from rural Northwest China in the 60's and 70's will find this book fascinating.
696221
Having had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Russell's family I found it fascinating reading!  I remember many nights staying up way into the night listening to Ray Russell tell tales of adventure.  In large part, it was his stories that made me want to travel and experience the world.  The Russell family's sacrifices and quiet heroics is a tale that deserves to be told.
4659427
What an interesting read. I found it fascinating to hear about life in the Bahamas before it became as developed as it is. What an adventurous life the author has lived. Now we will have to wait on part 2, where he hits the states.