Books Reviewed in 1997
Here are the Book of the Month Selections
from 1997. Interested in previous Book of the Month Selections? See our index by year or search on your own.
December 1997: The Vermont Weather Book
 Meteorologist Mark S. Breen said: "David Ludlum's Vermont Weather Book puts you right next to the
pot-belly stove at the general store, reminiscing about the great storms and freezes and
heat waves of the past year, or the past century." We couldn't agree more. This book is packed with interesting information about
everybody's favorite subject: the weather. Ludlum describes Vermont weather month by
month, citing historic weather events. He devotes an entire section to 1816: The Year
Without a Summer (see our Folklore and History features for more about this weather event). Ludlum describes unusual weather events, extremes, and historic
storms of Vermont: hurricanes, tornadoes, snowstorms and more. Although this book is
currently hard to get, it's worth the wait.
--Dr. J
Click on the link below to view more
descriptive information, pricing and/or order The Vermont Weather
Book from the Amazon.com catalog.
November 1997: Vermont Autumn Trails and Covered Bridges
 We decided to review a video as a change of pace! Relive the splendor of Vermont's fall
foliage with this beautifully produced video by Odyssey Productions. Travel the Otter
Creek to towns settled near waterfalls; join in a harvest festival and watch a family
making cider; watch the brilliant red, orange and yellow scenery speed past as you take a
train ride; and visit many covered bridges throughout the Green Mountain State. We
thoroughly enjoyed all 50 minutes of this video and believe it will help you "capture the spirit of Vermont."
--Dr. J
| V1001 |
Vermont Autumn Trails, 50 minutes |
$24.95 |
|
October 1997: Green Mountain Ghosts, Ghouls & Unsolved Mysteries by Joseph A. Citro
 In our Folklore selections, we've included an
excerpt from Joseph Citro's fascinating collection of bizarre, strange and mysterious
stories. When asked why he would put together such an "outlandish collection of
oddities such as this," Citro replied, "The answer is simple: because the
history of Vermont is made up of terrific stories. And our folklore has outlasted any best
seller you can name." We loved this shadowy and scary collection of stories depicting
the "other side of Vermont--the darker side." A perfect book for Halloween!
--Dr. J
P.Crowe, an Amazon.com customer had this to
say: "I am an avid reader
of ghost stories AND I'm from Vermont, the Green Mountain State. So, when I saw this book
at the bookstore, I had to buy it. It was DEFINETLY worth it. Whether it's good or bad, I
didn't fall asleep fast that night! Citro has stories of ghosts, UFO's, Bigfoot, and the
legendary Lake Champlain Monster in this book, among other subjects. It was especially
interesting to me because many of the stories had their location close to where I live. If
you are a ghost lover in Vermont, or anywhere else, you've got to buy this book!"
Click on the link below to view more
descriptive information, pricing and/or order Green Mountain
Ghosts, Ghouls & Unsolved Mysteries from the
Amazon.com catalog.
September 1997: The Dark Root by Archer Mayor
 Brattleboro Police Lieutenant Joe Gunther is back and this time he's gone global.
Vietnamese and Chinese gangs have found their way to Vermont and Joe Gunther teams-up with
the FBI to solve a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. Written from Gunther's point of
view, he emphasizes the cooperation between local, state, federal and international
agencies necessary to control the waves of Asian gangsters. While at times the book is a
little too detailed and plodding, the drama and action makes you feel like you're part of
the story. Once again, Archer Mayor has captured the essence of Vermont by accurately
portraying the towns and villages visited by Gunther during his investigation.
--Dr. J
Click on the link below to view more
descriptive information, pricing and/or order The Dark Root from the Amazon.com catalog.
August 1997: A Stranger in the Kingdom by Howard Frank Mosher
 "As your grandfather used to say, James, coming home is
always the best part of going away." Even if you're not from Vermont, reading
this book will make you feel like you're coming home to Vermont. Howard Frank Mosher
captures the essence of the Northeast Kingdom and Vermont in this small town drama which
takes place in 1952. He weaves together a compelling plot, fascinating characters, and an
understanding of local community mores and history.
--Dr. J
Wallace Stegner states: "Exciting and memorable ... Howard Frank Mosher has made
a small-town story into a universal one. He has filled it with memorable people and
carried it along on a rolling wave of suspense. And, best of all, he has not lost the
small town in all of this action. It is rich with local lore and local character."
Click on the link below to view more
descriptive information, pricing and/or order A Stranger in the Kingdom from the Amazon.com catalog.
July 1997: Bag Balm and Duct Tape: Tales of a Vermont Doctor by Beach Conger, M.D.
 Beach Conger's book reveals two great secrets. His patients,
"real Vermonters", are much like the rest of Americans in their suspicions of
medical care and strangers, just more so. Conger also reveals the awful truth that
medicine is a craft of art, not a science.
This delightful first person account of
dealing with Vermonters from the perspective of someone "from away" rings
absolutely true. I spent some time puzzling out which town(s) Conger had used to create
"Dumster" and finally concluded that it was a combination of Hartland and
Ascutney. My sleuthing was helped immeasurably by his jacket bio citing his practice in
Hartland, and his acknowledgment to the staff at Mt. Ascutney Hospital.
I think this little book is exactly the
right prescription for any one who is homesick for the Green Mountains.
--Doc
A review submitted to Amazon.com states: "Coming from California, Beach Conger thought Vermont
would be a 'mysterious, faraway Wonderland.' Instead he found his new home was a hotbed of
eccentricity with patients who taught the chief danger of being a doctor was contracting
'seriosity.'"
Click on the link below to view more
descriptive information, pricing and/or order Bag Balm and Duct Tape: Tales of a Vermont Doctor from the Amazon.com catalog.
June 1997: Covered Bridges of Vermont by Ed Barna
 Why
were those old bridges covered? Ed Barna's new book on covered bridges answers this
question plus many more and offers the reader a delightful way to explore Vermont. He
presents historical perspectives common to all bridges, explains design and construction,
and discusses some of the Vermont's bridge builders. Each section of the guide groups
bridges that can be easily visited in a day or weekend. We have used this guide to learn
about bridges across Vermont
and have found it to be extremely complete.
A review submitted to Amazon.com by a
reader states: "Covered Bridges of Vermont
was a delight to read. Have visited 103....the directions to them are very good,
historical background accurate, and pictures are also very good. He gives tips for the
best time of day to take photographs, taking into consideration each bridge. No covered
bridge enthusiast should be without a copy! He lists other places of interest as well. Now
will have to find the ones we missed on our trips! Would have paid twice the price, and
well worth it."
Click on the link below to view more
descriptive information, pricing and/or order Covered Bridges of Vermont from the Amazon.com catalog.
If you would
like to review a Vermont book for us, send us email.
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