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To me, this is a wonderful book about the beauties of small town life, long friendships, undying love, and the roots of our nation. Jayber is the town barber in the early to mid 1900's in tiny Port William, Kentucky, and as such he hears many voices and opinions from around the town and the county. This leads to discussions among the people of the town and to the philosophical musings of Jayber, who is, deep down, a loner and as such is a good listener and ruminator.
The story watches the town change from a self-sufficient and deeply rooted place into one where local businesses, which were never that strong, dry up while the young move away as the elders die off. Small, well cared for farms are gobbled up by early corporate farmers who then suffer their own fate after believing in the promises of riches through automation and expansion regardless of the land's or the people's ability to bear that load.
Berry is a fine writer and this may be his best of many excellent books.
Should be required reading for those who are considering a career in the military. I don't say that intent on convincing anyone to not join the military but, instead, I see this tale (which is likely more autobiographical than fictional) as a means of fully informing people about the ways of the military. The ways that aren't shown on the TV ads and brochures.
This story is harrowing, perhaps like no other book I've ever read. The suffering and struggles of these Marines is worse than all the stories I've heard from friends and acquaintences who served in Vietnam. Their miseries in the field likely meant that the broken down, makeshift bars and whores behind the lines seem acceptable in comparison.
Marlantes has written a nonfiction book about war and the military. I can't wait to read it while at the same time I'm dreading it. If it's more frank and honest than this novel it will be a difficult read.
I've recommended this one to several friends and family members. It's one of those true stories that reads like a novel. As a father I repeatedly recall the passage where the main character, at age 15, rides her horse, alone, across New Mexico and Arizona to take up teaching in a one-room school.
This girl's, then woman's life once again points out how soft our lives are, and how uninteresting.
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(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
If you like the red rock canyons of the desert Southwest, and if you are interested in the Anasazi people, and enjoy adventure with a touch of craziness, excellent writing, surprising insights, and more then you may well love this book.
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(5 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
The author, Greg Mortenson, nearly reached the summit of K2, one of the world's most dangerous and imposing mountains. After descending he nearly lost his life. But compared to his work building schools and friendships in the far reaches of Pakistan and Afghanistan before and after 9/11. In many of these regions Americans were much hated yet Mortenson repeatedly assumed great personal risk, and much deprivation, in order to continue building schools.
It may be that someday Mortenson will appear on the list of Nobel Prize winners. His work does far more to promote peace and understanding than anything our government, or any government, has been willing or able to do.
This is a fine book. Buy it, read it, and pass it on.
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(7 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
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Mentalfloss1 has commented on (16) products.
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
Mentalfloss1, January 1, 2012
To me, this is a wonderful book about the beauties of small town life, long friendships, undying love, and the roots of our nation. Jayber is the town barber in the early to mid 1900's in tiny Port William, Kentucky, and as such he hears many voices and opinions from around the town and the county. This leads to discussions among the people of the town and to the philosophical musings of Jayber, who is, deep down, a loner and as such is a good listener and ruminator.The story watches the town change from a self-sufficient and deeply rooted place into one where local businesses, which were never that strong, dry up while the young move away as the elders die off. Small, well cared for farms are gobbled up by early corporate farmers who then suffer their own fate after believing in the promises of riches through automation and expansion regardless of the land's or the people's ability to bear that load.
Berry is a fine writer and this may be his best of many excellent books.
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes
Mentalfloss1, September 5, 2011
Should be required reading for those who are considering a career in the military. I don't say that intent on convincing anyone to not join the military but, instead, I see this tale (which is likely more autobiographical than fictional) as a means of fully informing people about the ways of the military. The ways that aren't shown on the TV ads and brochures.This story is harrowing, perhaps like no other book I've ever read. The suffering and struggles of these Marines is worse than all the stories I've heard from friends and acquaintences who served in Vietnam. Their miseries in the field likely meant that the broken down, makeshift bars and whores behind the lines seem acceptable in comparison.
Marlantes has written a nonfiction book about war and the military. I can't wait to read it while at the same time I'm dreading it. If it's more frank and honest than this novel it will be a difficult read.
Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls
Mentalfloss1, January 5, 2011
I've recommended this one to several friends and family members. It's one of those true stories that reads like a novel. As a father I repeatedly recall the passage where the main character, at age 15, rides her horse, alone, across New Mexico and Arizona to take up teaching in a one-room school.This girl's, then woman's life once again points out how soft our lives are, and how uninteresting.
(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
House of Rain: Tracking a Vanished Civilization Across the American Southwest by Craig Childs
Mentalfloss1, January 1, 2010
If you like the red rock canyons of the desert Southwest, and if you are interested in the Anasazi people, and enjoy adventure with a touch of craziness, excellent writing, surprising insights, and more then you may well love this book.(5 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Mentalfloss1, July 1, 2009
The author, Greg Mortenson, nearly reached the summit of K2, one of the world's most dangerous and imposing mountains. After descending he nearly lost his life. But compared to his work building schools and friendships in the far reaches of Pakistan and Afghanistan before and after 9/11. In many of these regions Americans were much hated yet Mortenson repeatedly assumed great personal risk, and much deprivation, in order to continue building schools.It may be that someday Mortenson will appear on the list of Nobel Prize winners. His work does far more to promote peace and understanding than anything our government, or any government, has been willing or able to do.
This is a fine book. Buy it, read it, and pass it on.
(7 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
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