The Pioneers--McCullough Aces it Once More!

The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West by David McCullough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It seems impossible that the Westernmost boundary of the US was ever the Ohio River--the same one on which Wheeling, W Virginia, Cincinnati, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, among others ,have grown into major cities of our time. Yet, back in the late 18th through mid-19th century, the Northwest Territory grew from the Indian wilderness to something beginning to resemble the New England home of many of its earliest settlers. Here is the story of how Ohio became a State without slavery and with a highly developed educational system from the earliest lessons to collegiate degrees. Most of the characters are male since the women of the time left so little in the way of tangible sources. Still, many of them are included through the commentary of the men with whom they were so intimately involved as wives, mothers, sisters. Also, for some who were married to men who traveled much for their work as legislators or doctors, there is their correspondence to include.

As time passed and civilization grew, tourists from all over the world, including Charles Dickens, came to the area. The commentary of these travelers on the locals and their customs they encountered is enlightening. Not many found these Americans attractive, interesting or very well educated. Still the endurance, ingenuity, community spirit of these pioneers that helped them survive and thrive in this heavily forested land in which the Natives were not friendly nor welcoming is inspiring.
Having driven on Interstates from Vermont to Ohio and then traveled the banks of the Ohio along its curvy roads, the description of the same journey in the 1800s boggles the mind. I cannot imagine topping a summit in a riverboat hauled up one side by five winches stepped at intervals, having dinner at the top and then being lowered down the other side by another five winches. Terrified of height as I am, it made me dizzy to read of it.

Loving bridges, as I do NOT, imagining getting out of a carriage to retrieve the plank from a raging river, reattaching it and anchoring it with stones so that the carriage might cross, also made me happy that I didn't live in Ohio then.

If these types of historical stories are your cup of tea then read McCullough--any of his books, but this one is short and maybe, if new to his work, a good place to start. If, like myself, you've been a fan and read all of his books, this one will not disappoint!

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Where the Light Enters

Where the Light Enters by Sara Donati
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

To begin, do not read this book unless you have read the first book of the series. You will soon find yourself lost trying to keep all the characters and their relationships straight. Next, the book is outrageously long--the author claims to like long books and she has produced one--652 pages! If not loaded with too many issues--racism, feminism, poverty, mental illness, abortion, 19th century morality--a book this long is not a bad thing. This book is loaded with issues that become overwhelming. Life fraught with so many things to worry about seems to lose the importance of comparatively smaller issues such as widowhood, marriage, pregnancy and the treatment of orphans, who are part of the extended family of the two women about which the story revolves.

It took forever to get into the book, forever to finish it and less of an enjoyment than a chore, Do not know if reading the Gilded Age before this would make it any more satisfying. This is a review of a copy provided by Book Browse for discussion in their book club.

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All the Acorns On the Forest Floor

All the Acorns on the Forest Floor by Kim Hooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As in the Paris Hours the characters in this book cross paths without knowing the stories revealed in this book. I loved that in both books--sometimes they actually interact with each other, yet sometimes it is more like degrees of separation. In any case, the unconscious interaction of people just passing by each other is fascinating.
The theme of the book is Motherhood but it is so much more. Some of the women don't want children, others want them desperately and either cannot get pregnant or cannot carry a child to full-term. Still some of these women miscarry or give the child up. No matter the case, all of them in some way are concerned with the role of " MOTHER ". All of these women are three dimensional and no matter the reader's relationship with motherhood, they are all sympathetic and real. I only cried at the end of one story but was moved by them all.
Lest you think this is the sole focus of the book, do not be mislead. There is more to the story--the men involved. How supportive are they, how understanding, how loving, how present--or not. And communication--how much do these women share with their partners, family or friends so that their feelings are better understood? How much do they communicate with themselves? What secrets do they keep from those who want to be there for them but just don't know enough to totally understand what they are going through? What do they deny to themselves about themselves to help them cope and make decisions about their lives?
For such a small book, there is quite a bit within these pages to make one think about relationships, life's choices, nature's quirks . Yet, it is a fast and easy read with a lot of warmth and humor. For many of us there are characters who will remind us of either ourselves and/or people we've known. Very realistic and enjoyable over all.

This is a reiew of an ARC provided by Goodreads for that purpose View all my reviews

Tsarina

Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There are authors such as McCullough and Larsen who are able to make the historical characters about whom they write jump off the page so that the reader feels as though they are in their presence. Alpsten does not have that ability. The book is much too long, with extensive and unnecessary scenes of debauchery and cruelty. The first 350 pages are so stultifying it is almost like reading a Russian history ( deathly in itself ) textbook. It is not until after Alexy's death that there is any life to the main character and Peter. The rest never truly come alive. As to the supposed shrewd intelligence and calculating manipulation possessed by Catherine, they are never truly revealed. There is as the blurbs claim--sumptuous decadence but not vivid life. There is a Cinderella story, I suppose, though this handsome prince is barbarous to all around him, including Catherine and cannot be accused of fidelity. It took me forever to get through the book, but I hoped to learn something of a supposed strong, powerful woman--well, she was strong, I guess, but not terribly powerful. This is a review of an ARC won from Goodreads for that purpose

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The Bobsey Twins from Homicide are Slowing Down but Not Out in the Mountains of Montana

Gretchen Horowitz and Alifair Robicheaux are truly chips off the old blocks. Not sure I like this development but the old boys are slowing down a bit and the extra guns keep them from the bad guys frying their bacon.

A Relationship Requires More Than Just Romantic Love

When Duncan returns from war unable to walk he does not want to be a burden to the girl he left behind. Her memory kept him alive or at least hopeful during the years of their seperation. When he left Lady Mary, a girl he has no business loving, considering their differing stations in society, was merely a girl of 16. She is now an elegant woman of 21 professing her continuing love for him. But he'd gone to war to win accolades and station so as to be worthy of her and acceptable to her family. Lady Mary's brother, the Duke, has no qualms about their union but her mother, the Dowager Duchess did not approve of him when he left and chances are she won't approve of him now any better, considering his physical condition. Unable to walk, how will he provide for her? No, the entire situation is untenable--better to end the relationship now and let Mary get on with her life. It is the right and gentlemanly thing to do. Unfortunately, Mary doesn't seem to agree.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Is There Anything Worse Than Having A Child Disappear?

An artist reluctantly agrees to look for a missing teen. Enjoyed the interaction of the teen's mother with the two women trying to help find her daughter. The condition of Laura's apartment and her lack of appetite are very real and reflect her sense of helplessness and her despondency over the whereabouts of her child. That part of the story was the most real . The description of teen secrets and ability to circumvent parental restrictions was both amusing and alarming. While the abusive relationship that caused the girl and her mother to be in hiding to begin with is not highly developed it is clear enough to make the dangerous situation real and the need for secrecy from police understandable. One thing I would suggest is that the author review more closely her description of Freddy's outfits--I just don't see her holding a purse in her lap while wearing a windbreaker like the one worn by James Dean. There could be more editing for repetition even in places where two sentences say exactly the same thing, All in all, a captivating read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.