This was an amazing book that I would recommend to anyone. It is a book written well, and has the ability to place you inside of the story. You will be absorbed into the history and the people will become your friends. I usually pass on all books I have read to others, this one I am hoarding...so get your own copy, you'll love it

I thought the book was wonderful, the author gives a good background on the Basque people. It is an historical as well as an entertaining book. You can sure tell she did her research on it.

Beautiful and Enjoyable, a book that could uplift my spirit in the worst of times. Truly a woman's book all about heroin's from past, forward. Never boring, always a new story that fills the reader with inspiration. I picked up the book in a used store, and have not put it down since. Ms. Williams has created the most genuine character's and if you like the "Jean Auel" style, you will enjoy "The Cave Dreamers". She has a wonderfully comfortable writing style that is truly entertaining and not like studying a work book. Good reading. In the beginning it says that; "it is for every woman that has loved a daughter or has needed a mother"...Beyond truth. Every woman that loves to read should read this fasinating book and "Share the Secret"!

Tired of the same old read? Find The Cave Dreamer's.... you will be hansomely rewarded.

This poetic historical novel is set on the Isle Of Lewis, Hebrides, Scotland, in the early years of the 19th century. It is the story of a people's fight to stay on their land and to retain their culture and language. During this period in Scotland, called the Clearances, wealthy landowners paid henchmen to clear the land of crofters and tenant farmers. These farmers' homes and all their possessions were frequently burned or otherwise destroyed. Destitute men, women and children, whose ancestors had lived and worked this land for time out of mind, faced the elements and starvation, most without money for passage to America, Canada or Australia. Thousands died. The wealthy wanted to use the now available land to graze sheep, or to build hunting lodges for the nobility and emerging middle class. This was a much more profitable way to earn money than collecting rent from poor tenants.

Seventeen year old Mairi MacLeod's tiny family farm was destroyed, and her grandfather, Fearchar, killed during the Clearances. Fearchar represented the courage and the culture of the old ways. His deep love of his heritage, all things Gaelic, and his beloved harp, called "Cridhe" (Heart), was what kept the clan going in times of hardship. The harp had belonged to an ancestor bard who'd played at the court of Conn of the Hundred Battles. Fearchar taught the clan his songs: of war, peace, love, the harvest, and the sea. Mairi inherited the bard's voice and the magic to make music on the harp. She also inherited the noble heart, and the ability to endure, of a clan leader. She takes charge of the few remaining family members who decide to stay on the island, and vows she will never leave her homeland. They live in the ruins of an ancient tower, having had time only to build a roof, before the coming winter. They survive on their small harvest, fish and shellfish and seaweed. Clan members, men and woman alike, are inspired by Mairi's leadership, ingenuity, strength and guidance.

A dark and brooding army captain came to the assistance of the MacLeods and the Nicolsons immediately after the burning. He finds happiness that he has never known with the generous island family. There is an instant attraction between the captain, Iain, and Mairi and she falls in love with him. She keeps her feelings to herself, because the rigid class system of the time would never accept the marriage of a gentry-born man to a crofter woman. Mairi does cherish the little time they had together, usually with the family singing around the hearth, playing the harp and listening to Iain play the pipes. Other characters enter the story: a few crofter families are taken in when they are evicted; a Viking-like ship's captain becomes enamored of Mairi and wants to marry her; the new landlord, impressed by the clan's endurance, decides to assist them. Numerous crises arise: the potato famine hits hard; a brother is kidnapped, conscripted against his will by a ship's crew; Mairi's older brother seeks revenge for the burning of their croft; unexpected illness, etc. And the love story is a very unique one with a surprise ending.

Ms. Williams' writing is lyrical and poignant. Her characters, especially the original family members, are vividly portrayed. And Mairi is so three-dimensional...a courageous, honorable, and strong woman. The plot is sound, both fascinating and inspirational. The many subplots are filled with adventure. Above all, the history of the island and her people is meticulously researched, and beautifully told.

This books originally was put out under the banner of historical romance, but actually landed in the wrong spot. It should have been historical fiction, a wee fine distinct, but a significant one. Yes, there is romance, but only as a small part of the true tapestry of human emotions. It did not fair well in the US mostly because of the romance banner. So for sometime the book has gone unnoticed and was only available in used bookstores. Thus, I was delighted to see the wonderful work given a reprint treatment more deserving of his subject matter and hopefully people will discover this marvellous story of Scotland.

Many of you I am sure know of the Great potato famine that hit Ireland, how nearly a million died. But were you aware, the same blight that hit Ireland, moved to Scotland? Worse, this horrible loss of life sustaining crops came at one of the ugliest periods in Scottish History: the beginning of the Clearances. More and more of Scotland's Gentry were city folk, generally living in the big cities of Scotland and England, and paid a Factor to run their country estates, caring little how he ran them as long as he produced profits to sustain their rich lifestyles. Crofters were not really a money making situation for these people wanting the highest return for the least investment. Sheep were low maintenance, high cash return. People cost more and what the gave as payment for living on the land was small. So began the Clearances, literally running people off land their families had farmed and lived for centuries to make way for sheep.

Island Harp details this terrible slice of Scottish History through eyes of Mairi and is based on fact. Set on the Isle of Lewis during the Clearances of the 1840's, when the English landowner (the Countess of Seaforth) drove crofters from their homes to use the land for grazing or hunting. Young Mairi loves her life, simple though it is. She loves her family, her beloved grandfather Fearchar, Gran, brother Tam, and other relatives of the Clan. But one Summer, her life is shattered as the laird's factor as set fire to their homes, the start of the evictions. Fearchar runs into the burning house to rescue the harp he treasures and dies for his effort, but before dying he bads Mairi to protect the harp a symbol of their heritage.

A dash Captain Iain MacDonald ride in to the rescue. Scot by birth, he soldiers for the English Queen and is a son of one of the Local Gentry. Iain does what he can to help Mairi and her family and naturally she falls in love with him. She gives herself to him in the Ring of Stones (Calanais) knowing she will always loves this man. Later, as she learns she is with child, she finds out Iain is engaged to wed another - one of his class. Mairi leads her clan to the Auld Broch (an ancient circular tower) and reclaims it for her people, rallying them into farming on land considered unfarmable, weaving, fishing - anything to survive. Not only does Mairi and her child survive, they thrive along with her Clan.

Mairi is the embodiment of the Clan mentality, how the Scots survived and endured, their spirits unbroken through one of the worst periods in history. It is a story of personal triumph, of dreams and determination.

I was born on the Isle of Lewis, and still go back for visits, so the book has held a special place in my heart.

WISE Writers and Readers Book of the Month for February 2000

The writing is almost as lyrical as the harp in this rather desperate tale of the dispossessed crofters during the clearances of the 19th century. Research and background of island life and the history of the times is realistic. Grim circumstances for the hardworking folks determined to stay where generations of their family have lived. They find defeat around almost every corner - yet their spirits come together and hope lurks in even the darkest corners. From ancient stones to the Calvinist culture that attempts to forbid the music of the isles, Mairi and her harp inspire promise and perseverence, and if the tone is a bit feminist for the highly patriarchal, independent island people, the story is clever and mostly believable. The characters are portrayed with a gentleness and generosity as well as strong spirits, the harshly magnificent scenery envelopes the reader, and the historical references make this book a standout.

I just finished Lillian Beckwith's books about the Hebrides (which I highly recommend), and found this glimpse into history totally absorbing and fascinating.

This is the book I read, over and over, at the demand of my word-infatuated seven-year-old. He may not have understood half the words, but he delighted in their sounds. When he tired of the book I put it on my bedside bookstand, and I still pull it out when I'm in the mood for some inspired, sophisticated nonsense. The best ABC book ever.

Although I bought my eight-year-old girl the book for Christmas, it's headed to my office. It is the funniest book I've read in a long time; my usual reading (teaching) matter is the classics. The Steigs' book is a welcome break, a breath of fresh air after all that high-mindedness and tragedy! Carrotina and her awful cadenza are hilarious, but Naomi, "nervy as a newt" with her "nitwit" parents, is all too recognizable. I appreciate the tiny moral tales and the deflating of pompous academics, as in the "exegesis of the sphinx".

What an amazing woman! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Jeanne Foster, and it brought back many memories of my early years in the "north country" before I retired and moved to Florida. The authors winter here in Venice, and they have given many interesting talks in the area about Foster and her famous friends, displaying diaries, actual letters to Foster from people like Ford Madox Ford and Ezra Pound, and drawings of her by William Butler Yeats's father. Recommended for lovers of biography and great stories.

This book is a great story of a truly "American" woman who was a friend to the world or at least to the world of artists,writers, and politicians. The biography has everything to keep a reader reading: beauty, poetry, intrigue, sex, passion mysticism, and sweetness. I wish I could have known this person called Jeanne Robert Foster.

This is a terrific cookbook! The recipes are easy to follow and the results are fabulous. The buche de noel recipe especially is the easiest, tastiest and the most impressive-looking one that I've found anywhere and has become a popular annual Christmas tradition with my family and friends; I end up baking around a half dozen of them every year for parties and get-togethers. This book is worth its weight in gold if you do alot of baking for the holidays (or any other day, for that matter)!

I have tried many recipes in this cookbook and they were all a success! Definitely a must-have for your holiday baking. I must admit that I don't only use the book for the holidays. The chocolate almond cheesecake, lemon blueberry bundt cake and blueberry pecan coffee cake make great desserts for any occasion. The recipes are easy to read and most are fairly simple. Never disappointing!

I have used this book as a second book in teaching an Organizational Behavior Class. It is an excellent case study drawn from the actual experience of Mr Arnold. It is very straightforward and readable. He sets forth management principles that are sound yet difficult to implement as they require creating and maintaining an organizational culture based on strong employee participation and ownership with the buy in and support of management.

Bill Arnold's book is, by far, the most on target book dealing with employees and bottom line that I have read. His approach may be a little frightening for the people who must focus strictly on the bottom line, but investing time, trust and power in your employees will make them loyal, happy, more productive than ever and healthier (because they will be less stressed and have a stronger sense of purpose). We wish Mr. Arnold would return to Nashville. His approach is greatly missed and others aren't as centered as he is to open up and listen. Bravo!

Short, witty verses about a variety of animals, with humorous illustrations. Good ratio of chuckles per dollar. Fun for adults and children who are discovering grown-up verbal humor. Last couplet on the dog (from memory):

A noble beast, when at his best. At other times, alas, a pest.

My thoughts, exactly.

Daughter of the Storm is a great book. I loved it. I cried when Christy's foster mother finally called her daughter. I highly recommend this book.

I first read this story several years ago and over time, it has remained vividly in my memory. I can recall scenes and dialogues and picture the images painted by Ms. Williams' words in my mind. Katie's story draws you in before you realize it and you are swept into the mountain country of Arizona in the Old West, struggling along side an orphaned family. Ms. Williams brings the era and the people alive, touching fiction with history. Almost all the characters, especially Katie and Bill, offer something of interest to the reader - you get the sense that each has his or her own story. "Home Mountain" is a sweet story (a bit unrealistic), a historical romance without a doubt, but something about it lingers. It is a tale of the strength of spirit, of family and of love and if you enjoy historical stories, it is worth a read.

A wonderful book by a great writer of historical fiction! The love triangle is exciting, and the story of Kirsten's fierce desire to become a part of "wonderful America" is fantastic. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction!