LAKEHURST, MY HOME TOWN
595496
I would certainly recommend this book for anyone from the Lakehurst, NJ area.  My father worked bringing in the dirigibles and
I grew up in Lakehurst, going on to work at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station prior to Naval Air Engineering Center
2813230
Excellent -having relatives living locally in the Charleston area It really hit home with me-always living in western NY-it is a different world-my relatives are also transplant from western NY-a different world it is!
1499008
A person needs to be from that particuliar area to appreciate this book.

Since I was born and raised in Chicago in the adjoining Hyde Park area,

this book was more meaningful for me. I had hoped that maybe there would have been a little more of Hyde Park mentioned, however the title tells you really what it is all about. I did not know that the home that I saw jillions of times was a Frank Llyod Wright. Something new I have learned. Many good memories of places and people and any one from that area would be pleased to share this little treasure.
4512512
In a U-shaped limestone valley, the water flow never dried up, even in the driest years. As a child, I built stone houses  out of the flat limestone in the stream below the falls. One time I had a tiny Japanese vase I got from a penny candy called a Guess What that had a candy and a suprise wrapped in a paper. I put the beautiful little vase in one of the mossy stone houses, and went to get my parents to show them. I never found that stone house again. Every time we would picnic near the stream, I searched for the little vase. I still love to think of the lovely cool hours I lived in those little stone houses. I am not a hiker, but leafing through this book takes me back to those long, hot summers where I lived in my imagination in great mossy houses.
1707712
This book is a story of how one should never give up when adversities strike, but to find a way to make a better life around you.  Part of this book is about my hometown.  I visited after this book was written and have seen how this author woke up the town and how much it is improving.  The work is not done, but the writing of this book woke them up and it is on it's way to becoming a charming, successful town again.  The author did a good job.
925658
Didn't live there, but close to it in North Bergen.  I got a real kick out of seeing all those places that I remember.
3757665
loved reading about my Dad's home town friends and family. lots of memories of walking through those piney woods and family cemeteries.
2883242
I am biased because I am of Czech heritage, grew up in Iowa City and lived near the Goosetown neighborhood.  For me personally, this brought back to life people, places and even cracks in the sidewalk that I travelled as a child.  I discovered information about relatives I never knew and where they lived, not to mention, all of the fun they and others had in their small community.  The fragments of memories and photos are a joy to see.  By documenting so many details, the author elevated the Czech self-image and provided a real service to our community.
2165334
It was enjoyable to read a little more of the author's own family history this time and travel around town and out of town with him. In this book, he referenced a store in town that was near and dear to my heart and touched special memories for me. I certainly identified with being in Market Square as a youngster.
3591723
Hollyhock Summer takes me back to growing up in the San Joaquin Valley; it brings back the hot nights playing in the street with all of the neighborhood kids; it brings back canning tomatoes; it brings back treehouses and fermenting fruit and games of Monopoly.  I made me remember endless discussions about the morality of pants versus dresses and make-up versus Vaseline.  It is a book of nostalgia.  At the end of the book I feel again the rose golden cast of light with a slight scent of jasmine and rosemary and little butterflies that were the frontyard of my growing-up years.  I recommend Hollyhock Summer for the sake of nostalgia for those who grew up in the San Joaquin Valley.
1644409
I knew Sandy when she lived across the street from my Grandma Stafford. I was raised by my mother's Mom and Dad and I spent a lot of time in the neighborhood. Sandy was a normal kid growing up and we spent time playing around the neighborhood and on more than one occasion I was invited in to her home for a cold drink on those hot summer days in Indiana. We went to the same schools and I watched her play basketball for a short time.

I lost track of Sandy when I was in high school but she was one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. I never realized she was growing taller than me while we grew up because I saw her every day and I was always very short until my last years in high school.

Read this book. Let Sandy tell you about her life and get to know her a little better. You'll be glad you did. I moved to Phoenix a long ago but I'm sitting in a hotel in Shelbyville as I write this. I've just said goodbye to my father and for the last few days I've been riding around town and visiting some of my childhood hangouts. I stopped by my Grandmother's yesterday and I made a point of pausing by the home where Sandy grew up.

It brought a smile to my face.
3088830
Listening to my dad, my grandfather and grandmother tell family stories from down home were one of my favorite things when I was a little girl. I always thought to myself the Shuler's and the Haselden's knew how to live. My family has always portrayed living in Moncks Corner/ Shulerville as a simple, honest life, but none the less a very rewarding and good life. This book reflects all the wonder Berkeley County has to offer past, present, and future.
3461779
I used to live on an acre of land in the suburbs of Boston. My next-door neighbor was a retired college professor, scholar, farmer, New England resourceful - use it till it can't be used any more and then use it for something else - kind of guy. He taught me to make garden implements out of scrap wood or unused material and gave me the book The Man Who Planted Trees. He taught me to revere growing things. I planted more than fifty trees on my property.

This wonderful tale has been reviewed by professionals so I won't attempt it. I can, however, share the memory of my neighbor and state that this book is a pleasure to read.
310063
The hometown charm appeals to me, as I come from a small town and grew up with kids whose parents ran a family business.
3731163
I was among the graduates in the class of 1963.  So many of the photos from the early 50's forward bring back wonderful memories growing up in the Valley.  I even worked for Joel Stein at the Post Office while attending C.W. Post and Eddie Monahan at Piping Rock Club durring the summers while in LVHS. I wish I could be 13 again. Thank you for a wonderful overview of a great place to have grown up.
644586
This little town became my town, my family, my  neighbors. This was my first Binchy book now on to the others.....
2905553
It was great reading about the neighborhood I grew up in and the same time frame.  It was easy reading and  some of the names  were familiar as well as the locations.  It really brought back some great memories.