Shoes Books

This being the first review of Hough's work on Amazon attests to the passe status assigned it on the shelves of Thoreau studies. Similarly,this book is rarely noted or bibliographed by scholars of the present generation. While the list of "Lifes" and critical analyses of Concord's poet-naturalist swells each year at an impressive rate, the majority of them lack the directness of insight and hospitable prose demonstrated by Hough.
No university professor, Hough was for decades editor of a small-town newspaper as well as being practitioner of a simple, downbeat, rural New England existence. The resulting syntax is one that wastes few words, maintains modest sentence and paragraph constructions and uses little academic jargon. Best labeled an introduction to Thoreau, this should not imply that Hough aimed at a youthful audience. It is a comprehensive exercise that touches on each significant strand of Thoreau's legacy; not a mere life of the mind, spirit or "foot". Its stylistic flavor is that of Van Wyck Brooks' several histories (a welcome reincarnation of this approach is seen in Philip Mcfarland's "Hawthorne in Concord", 2004)of the 1930s-50s in which the reader senses the author leading him by the hand down the quaint, unpaved streets of a by-gone Yankee village; knocking on the doors of each of his literati chums for a privaleged personal introduction, and by the way catching spontaneous glimpses of their conceits and eccentricities--with their pants down as it were. Sadly, this manner has been eclipsed by an academic sterility that foists facts over feeling and sucks the life's blood from its suject.
Yet Hough is no romantic; nor is he lean of substance. He
butts heads with the contradictions in Thoreau's resume in the chapter "A Distinct Fruit and Kernel". Where other critics have spied loose ends, Hough detects an internal continuity that can only be legitimized within the framework of an individual life: " When you thought you detected the pattern coming along, he turned and you were tripped by an inconsistency" yet, adds Hough "Thoreau represented a minority, but any man or every man is a minority, and he must then have written for the world, because the world is made up of minorities as a wall is built of bricks." This stance places Hough at odds with those who complain Thoreau had pulled the rug of society out beneath them without providing a suitable replacement; or aplogists who refuse to take him at his word when he insisted that he was the most unambitious of men (Emerson wasn't fooled!). Hough makes implicit that Thoreau "asserted as boldly and clearly as a forthright man could that he had no ambition, as the word commonly runs" and that he "gloried in his freedom from the servitude of toil."
Thoreau's remedy to the life of quiet desparation, as Hough explains was "the account of what 'one' man had done about it. The truth was that Thoreau's suggestions and implications were inconvenient rather than that they lacked constructive quality."
There is little doubt that Hough is partial to his subject. But where others have sought excuses, Hough concedes to the very standards by which Thoreau measured himself and concludes "In his own perspective, Henry had lived all these Concord and Walden years momentously...". This book is an insightful read even were it to follow twenty-five years of Thoreau study.

From the very begining of the book, I felt like I new every character. I was born in 1960 and remember some of the racial incidents but nothing as bad as some people have experienced. I could have read the book straight through but had to put it down half way only to finish it the next time I picked it up. I would like to see this book on the big screen some day. It is a moving story and one that anyone would enjoy.

This is a wonderful young children's picture book about a young "First Nations" girl who receives two special gifts for her birthday. Maggie receives a pair of black, paten leather shoes from her mother. It is exactly what she wanted for her birthday. In her excitement, she runs to her Kokom's (a Cree word for grandma) to show off her special birthday present. Her Kokom agrees that the black lather shoes are beautiful. Under her grandmother's bed is another special gift for her. It is a lovely pair of beaded moccasins. This is a very precious gift because Kokom is blind and the moccasins are hand made by her. Maggie was torn by receiving two pairs of shoes for her birthday. Which pair should she wear? She loves both the black leather shoes and the beaded moccasins. Her Kokom's advice is "today is a special day for you, for you have been given two pairs of shoes. From now on you must remember when and how to wear each pair." I feel sometimes for bicultural children, they too have two very distinctive pairs of shoes to wear.
This is a great book for anyone who experiences two cultures - especially with two different ethnic backgrounds.
The glossary at the back of the book is very useful. Very young children will enjoy the colourful illustrations by Native artist David Beyer. His drawings capture the delight and tenderness of the relationship between Kokom and Maggie.

A beautifully illustrated, rhythmic picture book. I bought it as a gift for my daughter.

Pat Oliphant is one of the great cartoonists in world. His pencil-line is unique.

To sneak up the stairs, of course. And what would the shark do at the top of the stairs? Well, you'd have to read the book to find out.

This thoroughly delightful story captures the attention of 4-7 year olds each year as I read it in Storytime. It clearly expresses the fears of Stephen, who has a tendency to exaggerate, and also doesn't want to go to bed in the dark. This imaginative tale ends on a highly satisfying note as Stephen uses his wit to solve his dilemma.

I didn't think I'd like this book as it is really far out of my genre, but I did enjoy it. I had been told that Australian detective stories were quite different, but worth pursuing. This one was. I understand that this falls somewhere in a series, and I had not met the Norton boys yet, but oh boy! they are something else! There's lots of Australian trivia, and lots of action, as well as blood and guts, but even with all that, the book was hilariously funny! Les Norton is the epitome of laconic, and his brother Murray is a one-man wrecking team. This book deals with diamond smuggling, dirty deeds, and a whole ton of people that live on the wrong side of the law (including Les Norton himself). Good fun.

Kilian McDonnell, O.S.B., has been a monk/priest of St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., for more than 60 years. The 46 poems in this, his second book of poetry, cover topics including scripture, violence and injustice in the world, aging, and life in the monastery.

Of Eve, he writes, "Quickly done. She bites, / hands the apple to her spouse, / standing quietly beside her. / Passive, he chews death upon his house." A memorial poem to an oblate who died in 2004 contains this stanza: "Enemy of the busy, / friend of visual silence, / he soared with the threat / of a condor looking for spleens" and a series of poems on the prodigal son ends with these two lines: "You're my only son. / He's my only son."

The final section is an essay that opens with a discussion of religious experience in the work of more than a dozen poets from Plato to Robert Frost. It is in the essay that we learn more about McDonnell as poet. He finds inspiration in the silence within the biblical/liturgical culture of the monastery, which can evoke "a host of new images and possibly a new language" related to seeking God and God's glory. As to why he began writing poetry 10 years ago and continues at age 85, he hopes simply to offer his best on the "altar of praise," and invites readers to experience the mystery of God with him.

This disappointing book is supposed to be the humorous life story of Foxworthy but it is just one lame set-up after another with never a payoff. If it's supposed to be funny it falls flat because Foxworthy either mixes up fake scenarios with real historical events or he doesn't even finish stories that he starts! For example, he starts a story about a card trick that his granddad would do, but he never tells how the guy did the trick saying, "I promised my granddaddy I'd never tell....All I can say is that when I was a kid the trick would blow my mind." Wow--fascinatingly boring!

He glosses over his parents' failed marriage by claiming that their divorce and many other marriages had no impact on him. Between the two of them they were married nine times--how can he claim that had no impact on him? He seems to be in denial and covers up a lot of his hurt with mediocre attempts at making fun of his poor past.

Foxworthy seems like a nice guy but this book is a worthless attempt at cashing in on his fame. Lame, lame, lame, page after page. Not worth your time.

It seems the ciritics of this book have forgotten that Mr. Foxworthy just happens to be the number one selling comedian of all time. All of those who can say they've made more people laugh than Jeff Foxworthy should raise their hand. That's what I thought. So easy to critisize, so hard to create. He must be doing something right, eh, naysayers?

Having said that, Foxworthy's auto-biography revolves around his life growing up "Redneck" style. His early life in rural Georgia is chronicled in humurous detail, and his narrative is fairly light and easy to read and enjoy. He talks about getting started in Comedy, how he met his wife, and the birth of his daughters, all of it with a fun little wink and a light heart to make sure the reader is playing along. Unlike Engvall or Cable Guy's book, this one could be shelved either in humor or biography. An enjoyable read for anyone with an afternoon to kill.

This book is a humrous, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable autobiography of Jeff Foxworthy. This book covers all aspects of his life, from going fishing with his grandfather, hunting with his father, and hanging out with his best friends. This book contains many jokes and humorous stories within that will appeal to any true redneck. Coming from a small town myself, I found that this book had a lot in it which I could relate to. One of the last chapters contains Jeff's explanations of how he came up with some of his You Might Be A Redneck If.. jokes. All in all, this is a book that will keep you laughing for a long time. Jeff is one of the best comedians out there today. His humor never fails to make me laugh like crazy.

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem

The problem with this book is that you have to read it in a room by yourself, otherwise you'll have someone asking you what you're laughing at every couple of minutes. It is truly a funny book. If you don't believe me read it for your self and let me know if you didn't laugh, or at least giggle.

Gnner August 2007

If you have never heard Foxworthy's standup routine, this book will be hilarious. For those who have heard or seen his routine, most of the book is a repeat with personal stories mixed in. See Blue Collar Comedy Tour for Foxworthy and others.

Please, don't be fooled by the negative reviews. This was a great book!

I thought this was a really good book with the exception of some editing errors. The book is about independant Leslie who is in school, and eager to get her career off the ground. She falls for a much older man with some major baggage is trying to figure out what she should do. Her "cuz" Rachelle is a single mother of three trying to juggle two men, and her life. The book is an easy read, and will hold your interest.

Again my only complaint is the editing. In one chapter Rachelle is driving a white toyota, then in another chapter it's a blue Toyota. Then she is driving a blue Plymouth, that turns into a blue Mazda. I hope Hunter Hayes got a much better editor with the next book.

Leslie is a 21 year old virgin, just tryin to find the right man. She meet's Ben a much older guy, who she think might be the one, but has a lot of extra baggage. Rachelle who is Leslie's cousin is also looking for a good man, but she can't seem to get over her ex, plus the much younger guy who's in love with her. I throught the book was funny, and a fast good read about women tryin to find the right one.

Sometimes with a little more thought and editing an OK novel can turn into a better novel. I expected better. Leslie, the central character was not developed enough for you to appreciate the situations she encountered, especially dealing with Benjamin, the fine & sexy Construction worker. She meets him, briefly plays strong Sista, hard to get but looses it somewhere along the line when she becomes a tad to comfortable with his reasoning of why he lives his life the way he does.

Then there's Rachelle, who does the 180% of Leslie and instead of opening herself up to men decides to finally leave all of that alone and to devote time to herself and God. In turn, she winds up meeting a very Special man without even trying. I personally was more attracted to Rachelle's plight and bootstrapping rise to happiness.

I only hope that the author has new insight into devolping her characters in her sophomore attempt. And that maybe she adds a little suspense or mystery to the already exhasted "girl meets boy" theme.

Leslie is a 21 year old virgin, just tryin to find the right man. She meet's Ben a much older guy, who she think might be the one, but has a lot of extra baggage. Rachelle who is Leslie's cousin is also looking for a good man, but she can't seem to get over her ex, plus the much younger guy who's in love with her. I throught the book was funny, and a fast good read about women tryin to find the right one.