Reviews (166)

Ten kids, No work-ethic
A gritty memoir of life in the white ghetto where tribal loyalty struggles with justice. A portrait of the struggle for personal responsibility a primer and how to use and abuse the system.

Accurate. From someone who didn't live in "Southie" but in "Old Colony" at that time!
You'll see some people chime in here about this book, from "Southie". But Southie and Old Colony don't equal the same thing. You can be from the point and not be anything like someone growing up in Old Colony. Old Colony wasn't the same as D street or Old Harbor.Secondly, my aunt is mentioned in the book as skoochie(sp?). I'm not particularly fond of being from Old Colony or having my aunt in this book, but it's who i am. Lastly, i was good friends with Tommy Veins before he got out of cotrol and died. It's a sad story overall, if tommysdad is here, i'd like to say that my condolences, but this portrayal is not far from fact at all. I was there and grew up where these things happened. And let me tell you, the book is pretty accurate. Slight details here and there might be slightly off, but for the overall idea, Accurate. Everyone knew his mom... she was an outcast for sure and he mentions this several times. I personally couldn't put my own mom out there, but kudos for him for trying to be accurate.
Sad but true
Growing up in Southie and now living in Florida it was good to look back. The book broke my wifes heart who is not from Southie but it was everyday life fo us. Good read! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Boston    6. Ethnic Cultures - General    7. General    8. Irish American families    9. Irish Americans    10. Massachusetts    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Regional Subjects - New England    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (103)

Don't support this writer by buying this piece of trash
A friend recommended this book which I unfortunately bought.I feel sorry for people who think that this is "writing."The author not only contradicts herself but the writing is shallow and lacks any depth.If you want to feel good, buy yourself a bottle of wine, not this book.

Reflective & Thought-provoking
I found this lying on the table at a bookstore during a one-nighter with my husband, which we both desperately needed as we're always surrounded by the things that needs to be done, two growing boys who demand all of our attention and time ~~ and reading the back of this book, I briefly thought of a friend who is going through her midlife crisis right now. So I picked it up.
You Have to Like the Genre
Before I begin this review, let me state that I have experienced most of the life changes that Joan Anderson describes in her book: from getting older to empty-nesting to (in my case) a divorce to wondering who and what I am. So I am not unsympathetic to any woman's struggle with the above.
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Subjects:  1. Anderson, Joan    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Cape Cod    7. Feminism & Feminist Theory    8. Massachusetts    9. Regional Subjects - New England    10. Women    11. Biography: general    12. Social Science / Feminism & Feminist Theory    13. Women's studies   

Reviews (11)

chickens calm a new life in this memoir
Who knew a memoir mainly about chickens could be so interesting? Catherine Goldhammer starts her life over in a house by the sea which might not look that appealing but has charm nonetheless. She divorces and her daughter, Emma who is 12, move about 1 1/2 mile from their old home and begin a new life. The only thing to ensure Emma's happiness at moving is to promise the purchase of chickens! There is heaps to do with setting up a new home and the caretaking of chickens is no small task.
Goldhammer's Got Game
Catherine Goldhammer's Still Life with Chickens delivers its promise of being a story about starting over, or restarting--after the author realizes that her life isn't working, and that she needs or wants another life: a different one, a better one.
Better than I hoped it would be!
I'm very new at raising chickens & can't get enough info about them.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Divorced mothers    6. Farm Management    7. Farm life    8. Farmers    9. Massachusetts    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Regional Subjects - New England    12. Women    13. Women In The U.S.    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (37)

Not A Stand Up Guy
The book is wriiten in a matter that Red is bragging about anything.You can tell he was not so close to Whitey if you read all the Southie Books that are out there.All he was to Whitey was a cocaine dealer who paid 'tribute' to him.Nothing more and nothing less.He also seemed to forget people such as Freddy Weichel and Tommy Dixon in his book.I believe he changed those names knowing that there are still people around that are loyal to them that can take care of him.Someone also already stated here that he didn't rat because he was never asked to.The book still had its moments like when he discussed his trips to FLorida and the time that he spent in prison.He lies when he claims he was Whitey's Protege.Whitey only had one Protege and that was Kevin Weeks. I have read Street Soldier, Brutal, Black Mass, The Brother's Bulger, All Souls, and A Criminal and An Irishman.This one ranks last on the list of Southie Books.

There is no honor in this line of work
I gave this book a 5 star because it is a very compellingbook to read. A book that you cnanot put down. But the book's flaw, which the author believes is his strong point is the author's self description of honor used over and over in the book.
Tough growing up Southie
If you read the numerous books about Southie some of the stories change with each author. Knowing Red from home I tend to believe his accounts. Good job Red ! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Boston    6. Criminals & Outlaws    7. Gangsters    8. Irish Americans    9. Massachusetts    10. Organized Crime    11. Regional Subjects - New England    12. Social conditions    13. Biography & Autobiography / Criminals & Outlaws    14. Biography: general    15. True crime   

Reviews (28)

I think this one is telling the truth.
With so many memoir writers being exposed as fiction writers these days, Flynn is writing the truth. There is a lack of narrative flow in this book--it's told in fits and starts, and no one is especially prettied or uglied up for the story's sake. Also, his self-awareness and self-assessment are brutally honest. He's as clear about what he doesn't feel as what he does. He stands back and marvels at his own ability to let his father keep falling, and that's the most realistic part of all. I didn't like the Santa part, but most of the stylistically risky writing worked for me. The humor is deadpan, the characters real, in that they don't seem to be trotted out as stock characters. This is a good one, folks.

Coming of age as a fatherless child in the Boston area
The title of Flynn's memoir is certainly eye-catching.One might assume, before picking up the book, that Nick is a resident of Suck City.The reader soon learns that this is a book about Nick's homeless, alcoholic Dad Jon Flynn, who is perpetually stuck in Suck City.Nick toys with an aimless and depressed life, but eventually finds his own way.
Not as Great as I had hoped!
This book started off with intrigue, but left me feeling as though I had missed something in the end.Being on a bit of a Non-fiction kick, I chose this book after Amazon said I would enjoy it!It was too far out there and jumped around way too much.I kept waiting for something to happen, and was left with nothing but a dysfunctional relationship in the end! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Literary    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Regional Subjects - New England    8. Biography & Autobiography / General    9. Biography: general    10. English    11. Poetry & poets: from c 1900 -    12. USA   

Reviews (13)

A Fairly Common Tragedy
This book has haunted me for 10 years now.For Roger Dennis Hansen, there was the terrible pain of being in the closet for as long as he recognized he did not have feelings for girls that the other boys did, and that society said he should.And remember, in those days, you were some kind of monster for having same sex yearnings - take a look at the statistics.
Calvin Trillin's guilt trip, should have been kept private
I am of mixed feelings about this book.Part of me feels sympathetic towards the subject, Roger (Denny) Hansen.It is quite sad to read of his downward spiral which led to his suicide.Hansen seemed like a nice fellow. "Big Chill" at Yale
The book is a whatdunit: what caused an Ivy League golden boy with a million dollar smile to commit suicide at age 55.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Hansen, Roger D    7. International relations specialists    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Policy scientists    10. Regional Subjects - New England    11. Social Sciences (General)    12. Social scientists    13. Trillin, Calvin - Prose & Criticism    14. United States   

Reviews (7)

A Good Read To Kill A Weekend
This book is actually somewhat boring but on a cold and rainy weekend I found it a quick and easy read. Bits of humor, some insight into this person who appears to be trying to find herself as age creeps up on her. This book may inspire those who at midlife are looking for a change to go for it, take the gamble.

Warm and Wonderful
This book carries the warmth you would share as you sit in the evening by the fire listening to an old friend tell you personal stories of their life.Some of the chapters, such as 'My Father's Violin' stand on their own as beautiful essays.I read and re-read that chapter several times as Eliza talked about memories of her father and the few shared times that they had together.The entire book is a reminder of what is important in life and how we all search for our own home.

SO GOOD I OWN IT!
From all the books I checked out at the library, this is the first that I had to own. This book is so New England you can't help but laugh out loud. She has guts AND the ability to laugh at her own stupidness. Any one who does not get a chuckle out of this book needs to loosen up in life and stop and smell the roses. I wish I had half the gall that she has to make life the way she has, and I wish I knew her. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Country life    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Regional Subjects - New England    8. Social life and customs    9. Sociology - Rural    10. Thomas, Eliza    11. Vermont   

Reviews (2)

We need more poets and warriors
Paul's a friend and some of this is familiar through conversations we've had and times we've lived through. We haven't seen each other for several years and just recently reconnected via email. As soon as I could I bought the book and have been reading it-it's like we are still talking and I've emailed him my first response;
the best read of the summer
More than just a fishing book, Molyneaux took me above and below the waves and into the halls of government where polcies were set that targeted people like the book's main character, Bernard Raynes. Molyneaux gives an intimate portrayal of the Bernard, whose English and Acadian French ancestors fished the Gulf of Maine since the 1600s, and depicts how that rich heritage has enabled Raynes to survive in the face of an antognistic political climate and resource scarcity. The book is beautifully written and contains lessons that go way beyond fishing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Business    6. Commercial Fishing    7. Fisheries & Aquaculture    8. Fishing - General    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Regional Subjects - New England    11. Biography: general    12. Fishing, angling    13. Sports & Recreation / Fishing   

Reviews (56)

The Lobster Chronicles
This book chronicles the life of Linda Greenlaw, the author, during a lobster fishing season.Living on a small island off the coast of Maine, the author allows us into her downeast life.We learn some great information on the lobster fishing industry, as well as the lifestyles of the residents of Isle Au Haut.
Okay but not exciting...
I read this after I read F/V Black Sheep because it was also about lobster fishing in New England. It was entertaining and had some very funny moments but it wasn't especially exciting. I liked her stories about the strange characters who live on that island but when it was over I thought she seemed like a lonely person

Barely a book
I don't get it. There is no story, just a meandering. While I was hoping to be drawn in to a vivid life of ocean hardship and island comforts, it is just kind of drab.
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Subjects:  1. 1960-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Greenlaw, Linda,    6. Isle au Haut    7. Isle au Haut (Me.)    8. Lobster fisheries    9. Maine    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Regional Subjects - New England    12. United States - State & Local - New England    13. Biography & Autobiography / Women   

Reviews (1)

Lighthouse living, examined
"[P]eople on the move are always fleeing a fate that no longer suits them for the unknown territory of change and fresh starts."And so Chicago native Martha Ruth Mulder reinvented herself as North Tavis Cairn, a journalist who had an opportunity to live alone for several months on Monomoy Island.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Cairn, North T    3. Coastal Ecology    4. Monomoy Wilderness (Mass.)    5. Natural Resources    6. Naturalists, Gardeners, Environmentalists    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Regional Subjects - New England    10. Applied ecology    11. Biogeography    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Biography: general    14. Management of land & natural resources    15. Northeastern & North Atlantic states   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful Stories
I'm not even qualified to be from "away", as an occasional guest of an official "away" resident of Vinalhaven, Maine.But Phil's stories have added greatly to my appreciation of this special island, its people and institutions.I read his hilarious story about an improbable romance at the island dump shortly after returning from there, carefully recycling, cramming my small $1.50 bag of garbage and checking out the free clothes in the "bus".
Maine at its finest!
This is a wonderful Yankee counterpart to Minnesota's Lake Wobegone!Life on a small island in the Penobscot Bay has its charms and challenges.Crossman's vignettes are humorous, insightful and poignant.A fun read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Community life    4. Crossman, Phil    5. Form - Essays    6. History - General History    7. Hotelkeepers    8. Humor    9. Maine    10. Regional Subjects - New England    11. Social life and customs    12. United States - State & Local - General    13. Vinalhaven    14. Vinalhaven (Me.)    15. Humor / General    16. Humour    17. Places & peoples: general interest   

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Ecology    6. Farm Management    7. Farmers & Ranchers    8. General Biographical Works    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Regional Subjects - New England    11. Women   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Farmers & Ranchers    3. Insects & Spiders    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Regional Subjects - New England    7. Nature / Insects & Spiders   

Editorial Review

Broadcaster Jon Miller didn't know he was a baseball "purist" until acting commissioner Bud Selig accosted him with the moniker on national TV in 1993. "At one time," writes Miller in retrospect, "the label 'baseball purist' could've been worn as a badge of honor. Any legitimate fan would've been pleased to be thought of as a purist. But I suppose that to Mr. Selig, a purist was a lonely old man hunched over a windup Victrola, thumbing through a 1929 Read more

Reviews (12)

Flawed
I got this book for Christmas and read it Memorial Day weekend. I love Jon Miller's voice and play-by-play skills. That being said the book leaves much to be desired. The chapter on the "Good Old Days are Now" is extremely silly looking today. Realizing that this was written between the '97 and '98 seasons at first Miller must have looked like a genius as McGwire and Sosa battled for the single season home run record, but in 2006,it seems ridiculous. Especially, after McGwire embarassed himself in front of the Senate the way he did. It's funny how Miller tells the story of how he was amazed at how huge McGwire's biceps were. Rather cocky of McGwire to be showing off his chemically enhanced physique. My other problem is that Miller is not completely truthful. There is a section where he tells of how he would go to A's games with friends (when he was 14) and tape himself broadcasting. Miller was born in 1952, which would have had this happening around 1966 or 1967. He then tells us that sometimes his "broadcasts" would be ruined if a fan sitting close by had brought his boombox. Around this time FM radio was in its infancy and boomboxes did not hit the stores until almost ten years later. Unless, this fan had stepped through a wormhole or was able to warp the space-time fabric, there is no way Miller's broadcasts were ruined by boomboxes. His anectdotes are good enough that he doesn't need to supplement them with such a glaring untruth. It casts a shadow of suspicion on everything else. The is no room for poetic license in a memoir.

humorous and entertaining anecdotes and thoughts
This book brings forth the thoughts of one of the most well known and well respected broadcasters in baseball today.This book came out in 1998 when Miller started as a Giants broadcaster.His broadcasts on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball and radio broadcasts for the Giants bring out his personality.He's dedicated to his job and had been interested in broadcasting since he was a child.His passion for the game of baseball and his attentiveness to perfecting his craft only added to his skill in the descriptions of his broadcasts and brought the feel of the flow of the game while it's unfolding live in front of his eyes.If you are familiar with Miller's broadcasts on TV or radio then you won't lose a step when reading his book because it is similar to the way he broadcasts.Miller brings about his thoughts about some of the issues in baseball like realignment as proposed by Bud Selig, to the personalities of owners he has known and how they contributed to the rise or demise of a franchise, and stories about Cal Ripken and some insider accounts from the clubhouse about his consecutive game streak.Miller bring a good light-hearted folksy humor that will make you smirk or guffaw with tongue in cheek.It is interesting in the fact that it feels like he conversing with you like you were at a bar and he was telling interesting stories which would be either intriguing or funny.This is a nice book for baseball fans who want to see things from the perspective of a broadcaster.The book reads easily and shouldn't take too long to read at all.

A Fine Memoir
I received this book along with Joe Morgan's as a Christmas present, and it was interesting to read them in tandem, as it shows why they are such a complementary broadcast team.Miller's book is more an anecdotal memoirthan a detailed analysis of the game, but that doesn't spoil the enjoymentof it.His tribute to Ken Coleman, the retired Red Sox radio broadcaster,brought back to this Red Sox fan vivid memories of Miller's all-too-briefstay in Boston. The book, however, suffered from an editing job thatassumed that the reader had a familiarity with Miller's personal life andcareer history. For example, there are several references to his firstmarriage which both assume that the reader knows that Miller was marriedbefore and why it ended. But these references are extraneous and addnothing to this picture of Miller as broadcaster and baseball purist --which, after all, is the book's primary focus. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Jon W.)    2. Baltimore Orioles (Baseball te    3. Baltimore Orioles (Baseball team)    4. Baseball - Essays & Writings    5. Baseball - General    6. Biography    7. Biography & Autobiography    8. Biography / Autobiography    9. Miller, Jon    10. Regional Subjects - New England    11. Sports    12. Sports - Baseball    13. Sports - General    14. Sportscasters    15. United States    16. Baseball    17. Business & Economics / Economic Development    18. USA   

Subjects:  1. 1938-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Fishing - General    7. Fishing Sports    8. Lobster fisheries    9. Lobster fishers    10. Maine    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Regional Subjects - New England    13. Seavey, Wendell,    14. Aquaculture & fishing: practice & techniques    15. Biography: general    16. USA   

Subjects:  1. 1922-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Educators    6. History    7. New Hampshire    8. Ordonez, Jose A. G.,    9. Ordâoänez, Josâe A. G.,    10. Regional Subjects - New England    11. St. Paul's School (Concord, N    12. St. Paul's School (Concord, N.H.)    13. Teachers    14. Ordóñez, José A. G   

Reviews (3)

36 Years After Viet Nam
It's hard to remember that it's been so long since the Viet Nam war. Half the people in the country won't remember it at all. If they were born, it was just something that the old people were concerned about. Viet Nam was just something that appeared on the news, and who wanted to watch the news anyway.
May not be what one expects
For those expecting a bio of the man behind "China Beach", including insights into that show and its star Dana Delany, this will be a disappointment. Those subjects are covered only briefly, about halfway in.
A memorable book
This is a memorable book.It reads like a close friend sharing from the heart on a long summer evening.Tales from childhood, interwoven with grief and loss in later years.We see a family, connected at arm's length, unable to console each other when the worst happens, Doug, son, brother, and cousin, is killed in Vietnam - `friendly fire'.Like an underground earthquake, the devastation ripples through the family.This is a New England family, and a New England story.The stoicism passed down through generations, silences the family at all levels.The author dares to speak, about loss, love, lust, alcoholism, anger, avoidance, grief, and the ever-enduring ties to family.
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Subjects:  1. 1947-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Childhood and youth    7. Family    8. Family relationships    9. Historical - General    10. Literary    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Regional Subjects - New England    13. Screenplays    14. Screenwriters    15. U.S. History - Vietnam Conflict (1965-1973)    16. United States    17. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    18. Young, John Sacret,    19. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (4)

Compelling!
A compelling look at death and the funeral industry.It's extremely well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down.I highly recommend it.

Underground Classic
No pun intended, this short (144-page) journey through funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematoriums with side trips to probate lawyers, casket-makers, astrologers, and stone-cutters (among others) is truly an underground classic and a MUST-READ for baby-boomers. Once you start talking about it, you will be surprised how many of your contemporaries have read it. Matson doesn't have all the answers, but he raises thought-provokingquestions about dying (and what happens next) in a manner which will bring a smile to your face while enlightening you about things you never thought about, much less knew--although you will quickly sense that you DO need to think about them and DO need to know about them.

Ride Along With Tim - Both an odyssey and an adventure!
Very enjoyable and easy to read, you'll feel like you're riding right beside Tim Matson the entire ride. I read this book in one evening (couldn't put it down). A suprise ending that befits its title! Good work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Death & Dying    3. Funeral rites and ceremonies    4. Regional Subjects - New England    5. Sociology    6. Undertakers and undertaking    7. United States   

Reviews (2)

poignant portrayal of medicine in northern maine in 1950s
Great local color, humorous outlook, authentic reminiscences ofrural medicine.

witty and humorous - easy and engaging reading!
I really enjoyed this tale. The author has a neat sense of humor, evenwhen dealing with lots of difficulties on the job. It made me realize whatit was like for a general practice back in those days, and likely fortodays' rural doctors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1923-    2. Betts, Anthony,    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Maine    8. Medical    9. Medical - General    10. Medical - Physicians    11. Medicine, Rural    12. Physicians (General practice)    13. Regional Subjects - New England    14. Betts, Anthony   

Reviews (6)

Do Yourself a Favor
This book contains one of the all time greatest Christmas stories--Favor Johnson. Reading this story is a family tradition in our home. For this alone you should buy this book. We first came into contact with Willem Lange listening to him read his stories on Vermont Public Radio back in the 1990s and have been hooked ever since.

Clear as the New England sky; Crisp as a fall day
I first became acquainted with the work of essayist Willem Lange through his appearances on the Vermont Public Television program "RFD," which normally ends its weekly broadcast with a piece by this wordsmith.The essays in this charming little book are culled from other writings and are perfect examples of Mr. Lange's style.With a minimum of very well chosen words, Mr. Lange paints a detailed picture of people, places, and events and wraps us in his love for all.There are some very heart-felt expressions here:A Letter to a newborn grandchild; A sudden understanding of his wife's life-long torment; An appreciation of past leadership provided by a mentor.In all, there are 18 tiny gems here, none longer than four pages, but the scope of their sentiment is unending.This is a book to treasure and read over and over again.If only it were longer.

Mr. Lange writes stories from the heart.
Mr. Lange's stories of life in New England awake memories of the reader's own experiences that transcend any geographical boundaries.In thiscollection of essays, Willem Lange celebrates the experiences of everydaylife in New England with humor and honesty that connects with readers inevery corner of the land. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1935-    2. 20th Century American Prose    3. American - General    4. Anecdotes    5. Biography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Connecticut River Valley    8. History    9. Lange, Willem,    10. Literary Criticism    11. Regional Subjects - New England    12. Social life and customs    13. United States - State & Local - General    14. Biography: general    15. English    16. Lange, Willem    17. Literary Criticism & Collections / Essays    18. USA