In my youth, I often vacationed in Maine and happened to find this book in the local library during one trip. It was truly inspiring for me as a young girl, both to appreciate the great state of Maine and to go on to write memoirs of my own. I would recommend this classic to any would-be memoirist, as a great example of how a well-written life story can transcend time.

I often don't get a chance for much pleasure reading so many books that I start never get finished. This book, however, grabbed me in from the start and like the other reviewer said, I could not put it down. It truly transported me to Maine, a state that I love to visit. However, even if you aren't a Maine fanatic, I think you will enjoy the book and it's ability to take you away from your everyday life. In addition, the strong, independent women who play the lead roles in the book are truly inspirational, especially considering the time period in which they were asserting this independent spirit. Seeing their willingness to jump in to a business that they knew little about and to set it up successfully in a short period of time has really awakened in me the belief that anything is possible -- you just have to be bold enough to go after it. This book is a wonderful read and one that I will surely pick up time after time. I highly recommend it.

This book written about the trials and tribulations of two young girls who quit their jobs in New York and took up running a grocery store in Goose Rocks. Scotty does a fantasitc job at taking the reader to Maine. She captivated me and I truely could not put this book down. I want read it again right away!

Although this book is long out of print (1967), it is without argument an essential book for anyone of the walking persuasion. The authors give a delightful presentation of all the postive facets of the walking lifestyle. From the "pyschological magic" of walking to the "science and art" of walking, the authors don't miss a step. Explaining the subtelies and benefits of walking from a varied and vast plethora of world views, the "Magic of Walking," is complete in both its study of walking and its lessons on walking. Suitably accompanied by a ramble through the literature of walking itself, including such works by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Vladimir Nabakov, Thomas Mann and Charles Dickens, among other notable writers. This collection, opening with the creme de la creme of walking literature, Walt Whitman's "Song of the Open Road," gives the reader an even further and greater insight into the historical and phisophical aspects of walking. Anyone wanting to escape, not only by means of a walk, but by means of an accomplished book on walking, should not even breath a sigh of doubt or hesitation. As Emerson stated, with a blunt apparency that cannot be denied, "Society is always taken by surprise at any new example of common sense." This book is a fine example thereof.

Is one of the top-rated books in my collections. A book not for everyone, a book to be understood.

IT IS LIKE HESSE'S NARCISSUS AND GOLDMAN--THE WAY OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE WAY OF SERVING THE WORLD ARE BOTH IMPORTANT. THEY ARE OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE IN GOD'S EYES. WHY NOT DO BOTH?--BILL

"Vedas" is like Bible for Indians. It is a Scripture where the Truth of life is told and also the path through which a person can attain.

Herman Hesse got the essence of Vedas in this small novel and described it so methodically even a layman can understand and appreciate it.

It is THE BOOK for anyone whose mind everyday nags saying "WHEN WILL I GET COMPLETE SATISFACTION" or "IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE WORLD CAN SATISFY ME COMPLETELY". Answer is defintely in the book.

Chief is gay. Oh yea horrible book notes because it did not mention details in the plot of the good earth.

From the moment you open this book and begin chapter one you are hooked. The way Pearl Buck describes the characters and setting you can perfectly picture them in your mind. When meeting the farmer Wang Lung, you see his love for the land from the beginning of the book. When Wang Lung goes to meet his chosen bride O-lan, Pearl Buck shows the thought process of men and what they feel is beautiful in a woman. From describing the binding of the feet and how Wang Lung is greatly disopointed with O-lan and her seemingly large feet. Pearl Buck shows how faithful O-lan is, being alone during birth and getting back in the feilds the same day to help Wang, even on her death bed O-lan is faithful to Wang. Pearl aslo disscusses the value of men and women children and how Wang took pride in his boys and shame in his girls.When there is a great famine in the village, you can feel how poor these people were and how they struggled to survive, even leaving thier land to go find food. The protagonist and antagonist are clearly dipicted, with Wang Lung struggling with himself and society. The most disturbing part of the book is when Wang Lung meets Lotus Blossm and she becomes his mistress. The luxeries he gives her over O-lan because she has small feet and hands is discusting. The way Pearl Buck shows how men felt about women and how they were just property and nothing else, and the way he breaks O-lan down and treats her like trash because of her feet. The way Pearl shows how he comes and fluants the affair in O-lan's face is absolutly heart wrenching. The way Wang Lung climbs the social ladder and eventually moves away from his land, shows how money changes everything but can never change the persons soul. Throughout the book Wang always returns to his land, even on his death bed he returns to the Good Earth, the land where he built his foundation, the land where he built himself. The ending isn't as satisfying as the rest of the book but, it gives good meaning to the title of the book. This is a extrodianary book, that dipicts social status in China, a woman's value in life, beauty and ugliness, money, religion, love and friendship. I don't know what more you could ask from a book.

it was worthless. I read the cliffs notes 5 minutes before my report, and did fine

Jane Austen had an eye for human nature. She understands and she interprets it through this novel. The story is a realistic fairy tale. It wraps around a family of five girls, their eccentric mother, the noninterested father, and the men in their lives. The subtle humor makes it very enjoyable. The realization of human society is touching and provoking all the same. This is a must read. All Jane Austen fans must read.

This a good basic primer for either a social worker who has not home heath before, a social worker who has done home health but knows little about how to perform the job, and for home health care administrators who do not know the functions of social work in home health (which there are way too many of as noted by the author). The book, however, is written in a format that reminds me of a workshop presentation. Lots of bullets, and unfortunately a lot of duplication. The problem I had with the book can be found in Chapter 7, "Medicare Standards for Social Work..." The author presents a lot of incorrect information regarding this (i.e. will reimburse for SW services for only 2 to 4 visits.) This is an intermediary's interpretation, not a Medicare Standard of even a HCFA interpretation. Her step by step approach SW referral and documentation is useful; however, it should not be under the heading of "Medicare Standards" since there are a multitude of other ways to do the same thing. This is just a couple of examples, there are many more. Lastly, this book seems to becoming a little bit out of date. With Prospecive Payment System (PPS)coming into the Home Health Care market, some of what is in this book will not be relevant (especially Medicare's attempts to control cost by controlling visits, which was needed under a fee for service arrangement but not under PPS). Finally, there is little mention whatsoever of social work intervention under manage care. This is becoming half of the patient population in Home Health Care, and nothing was mentioned about how to interact with manage care companies in home health. Still if you can get around the presentation that seems to indicate there is only one right way of doing social work services in Home Health Care under the Medicare model, the book does have some usefulness.