Reminded me of my many stints in places like this. The trials and tribulations that happen in ...
586540
Being  a recovering addict and alcoholic,this book hit home for me. Reminded me of my many stints in places like this. The trials and tribulations that happen in life when your first trying to get sober,thats alot of what this book is about. A great read for the person who is recovering or someone who just wants to learn something about the struggles and joys that occur when we are first getting sober. loved it!!!!!!
691716
I liked this book because if took place in a part of the world I know and the author gave me an insight into life there in earlier times.
49187
This book brought back many memories of my own life on a similar family farm. The lives of three generations of this farm family were frequently hard, but are described sympathetically. I found the description of the farm house itself particularly interesting.
4584076
There were several issues that I have forgotten.  The author reminded me of them.  Also, some incidents varied from what I've known previously. I also enjoyed the list of the names...Some of which I have forgotten.
654964
This book takes us through the beginning of sad times in the lives of three women, and gets us to a place that I won't describe lest I ruin it for
1594674
I really enjoyed this. Some of his vignettes about growing up in Grand Rapids, my dad's hometown, and stories about his experiences in his boyhood church sound very similar to the church in which I was raised. And many of his doubts and questions sound like the ones I and my friends raised.
1372445
I liked that the author shared some of her life experiences, especially the ones connecting to those who have died. There has been a lot of death around me lately and it has been helpful to share content from this book with my friends who have experienced loss.
4768820
I enjoy reading about these experiences.  We all are going to an afterlife someplace and I want to be prepared to know where I may go.
3646158
Fascinated by the review of the past and what happened to many that had participated in it . an affirmation of many current feelings.
3893347
Reading this was like sitting around and listening to family history. The stories told stir up many emotions. There were times I had to put it down and have a good cry. Then instances when I would be laughing so hard my family would come from far reaches of the house to find out what I was laughing at. I enjoyed the journey through different periods of this country's history and visualizing how it affected many of our families. To see how a basic faith in The Lord is the ground work for keeping families together. Not just in the good times, but particularly during times of trouble. I find it also personally inspiring to hunt down my own family stories. Its a good read, and I think it could be made into an enjoyable movie as well.
3388203
Being a fan of roller coasters and amusement parks, I found this to be a great quick read.  I have been to Coney Island, ridden the Cyclone, ate a Nathan's hotdog and walked among the ghosts of the ancient carnival folk and sometimes yearn to have been there when it was in its heyday.  But, at least when I read about, it becomes easy to imagine what it must have been like.
3905932
Having grown up in South Texas I felt as if I was back home to a certain extent. Every culture has their taboo's and their "no-no's". And every culture has those who are just looking for some peacefulness. I enjoyed just reading for the pleasure of it and finding out that some decisions are very, very hard to make. And on ocassion they can work out when you least expect it.

In a day and time where everything is so depressing and stressful, it was nice to see some folks end up with a peaceful ending in spite of the trials that got them to that point.
3573893
This read gave me a feel of how it was back then and a greater appreciation for what people had to live through.
812292
I enjoyed reading this book, but it did take some effort as the author was very descriptive about his experiences and feelings. It made me want to have lived during that time to see some of the things he saw, as I know that the countries he visited are so very different today.
1162988
I'm stunned by how clearly the author captured the atmosphere, attitudes, and behavior of the city of New Bedford and its residents in the late thirties / early forties.  He has woven these into a captivating tale of what life was like for ordinary people in that place and time.

He shows ordinary people with their dreams and disappointments, successes and setbacks, loves and losses.  People whose dreams were overtaken by an unexpected war struggled to do their best at home and abroad as small cogs in the machine.  Sometimes winning, sometimes losing. And sometimes facing mysteries.

I lived in the City of New Bedford through those years, and I remember them well.  Thanks to the author  for letting me re-live them in his  book.
2014801
As a widow I could relate to what she went through and also to many of her experiences, including the"visit" from her husband.
2525641
Dysfunctional families seem to abound. This one touched many feelings similar in mine.