The Ramapo Mountain People is an excellent history of the people residing in an area bordering the NY/NJ State line within the Ramapo Mountains. The interviews give an indepth perspective of how this group view and classify themselves, as well as how outside influences have changed their way of life over the years. Covered are the controversies surrounding the origin of these people, and how they have come to live in the Mountains for almost 250 years alongside the Dutch and local Indians. Often referred to as "Jackson Whites", the subject of racism between themselves and outsiders (black and white) as well as within their own community, is well covered. The writers have done extensive research into this subject, and have given the reader an excellent insight to a community that has, for the most part, been left to their own devices by the outside world. Genealogies for the most common families are provided, and thought provoking arguments as to the exact nationality of the Mountain People is discussed. A wonderful source of information for all aspects of the lives for those known as Ramapo Mountain People.

Though this book never states it clearly, the Ramapo Mountain People are actually the very first residents of New Jersey! I have studied native American history in the New York/New Jersey region for more than 30 years and I don't think there is a more convincing case that the people Cohen identifies as Mountain People are the native (Indian), Dutch and African American people who first settled the region in the 1600s. This is an important book about a very important group of people! Shame on Donald Trump for maligning these people as "hillbillies" -- no native American group has lasted as long in the metropolitan New York/New Jersey area, and may God bless them!

This is an excellent source of information covering the Ramapo Mountain People, a community of people who for the better part of almost 250 years have lived in the Ramapo Mountains and surrounding areas of Rockland County NY and Bergen and Passaic County NJ. These people are surrounded in controversy concerning their ethnicity, which has been labeled African American, American Indian, Dutch, German Palatine, French Creole. This book explores the ancestry and genealogy of the early members of this group and takes the reader through very personal and often controversial issues surrounding a very proud, but very private segment of Society. The book contains photographs of the areas inhabited by the Mountain People as well as photographs of some of the people interviewed. It allows the reader to experience the conflicts facing this community, through real experiences as told to the writer. The reader gets a feel for what it is like to be a Ramapo Mountain person. Some of the Ramapo Mountain People do not approve of this book, its contents or conclusions. I recommend this book if you have any interest in the history of these people.

Although Amazon has listed Dr. Seuss as one of the authors of this book, he is not!

Instead, the other authors/illustrator are attempting to boost their sales by stealing some of Seuss's characters--the Cat in the Hat, Horton the elephant, and the Grinch.

This plodding, predictable story totally lacks the wild plot twists and off-the-wall craziness of true Seuss. The trouble-making Cat in the Hat is transformed into a bland voice of authority lecturing about the importance of sharing. Evidently the authors haven't read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", or they would know that the Grinch reformed at the end and is not the incorrigible villain he is depicted as in this book. Even the artwork is not a convincing imitation of Seuss, lacking the bold black ink strokes and wild details. The new characters in the book, Megan Mullally and her grandfather, look like Muppets rather than Seuss characters.

Get a *real* Dr. Seuss book.

I am really upset at the way this turned out. It seems with a title like that, you would have some proof supporting each fact or other signs of research. 13/f/IM me