A product of its earnest, politically incorrect-at-times, era of the 1950s, I nevertheless enjoyed this book immensely. The author divides topics into chapters that make sense, e.g. religion, making a living, travel, morality, growing up as a kid, etc. There are plenty of examples of his own childhood experiences and stories told him by others to give a real sense of the time and place of Washabuckt, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in the 1890s. I don't think it gets too romanticized either, although there are a lot of "these simple, innocent people" moments. But that's okay by me- makes me want to own the book to escape to that time! ( )

A product of its earnest, politically incorrect-at-times, era of the 1950s, I nevertheless enjoyed this book immensely. The author divides topics into chapters that make sense, e.g. religion, making a living, travel, morality, growing up as a kid, etc. There are plenty of examples of his own childhood experiences and stories told him by others to give a real sense of the time and place of Washabuckt, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in the 1890s. I don't think it gets too romanticized either, although there are a lot of "these simple, innocent people" moments. But that's okay by me- makes me want to own the book to escape to that time! ( )