Customer Reviews

40 Acres and No Mule

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I loved this book because it took me on a journey to a part of the United States that is not known to most readers. And to a time that is not today. And to know people who are unlike any neighbors I have ever had.
I really enjoyed learning the landscape and the problems and the social activities of mountain people. Someone who lives in an urban area (or the suburbs of an urban area) may feel superior to these characters, feel privileged compared to such country types but I really admired many of the people for coping so well with their circumstances. Many seem heroic, even.
I'd like to say Thank You to this author!

40 Acres and No Mule by Janice Holt Giles was book about life in Kentucky. It told of the hardships and the good times and how everything always worked out. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about KY or living in a rural southern area.

I purchased this book as a gift for my dad. Janis Holt Giles came to me while doing family research, The Kentuckians was resourced in one family's information so I purchased that book. My dad took it up and read it and has been a Giles fan ever since. From then on every month I have bought a new Giles book for him to read and he enjoys them so. He reads the books in one day then passes them along to anyone who will read them.

He believes Janis Holt Giles to be one of the most gifted writers of all times.I just simply get pleasure from finding him books he loves to read.

Janice Holt Giles takes you to a small place in Appalacia and begins weaving a picture of the people, the ways of life, the long time traditions, and the religion that is deep in the heart of the country. She does it in a way that actually made me fall in love with the people and yearn for a simpler life (even though logically, I know I would have a hard time adapting to such a life). It took me a long time to decide to read this book because the cover is not engaging, but once I had started, I had a hard time putting it down!

I fell in love with Janice Holt Giles writing style reading her "Piney Ridge Trilogy" books. I grew up in the country, which I loved, married a city fellow, and have lived in the city ever since. I have long wanted to move back to the country. Janice Holt Giles, books take you back to a simpler time and lifestyle with all it's family intimacy as well as it's numerous hardships. Her "Piney Ridge Trilogy" series and "40 Acres and No Mule," tell the story of her marriage and subsequent move from Louisville, Kentucky to the backwoods of the Piney Ridge of the Appalachian Mountain region of Kentucky. For poor folks with no running water, electricity, two rickety cars in the whole community, life is simple, filled with neighbors caring for each other and many hardships. The Ridge with its hills, valleys and streams is beautiful. Some Ridge people are unsanitary in their living conditions. Even when it's means harm to the other person, you don't meddle in other people's private affairs. News travels fast on the Ridge and anything you say will make the rounds and if unacceptable to Ridge thinking concerning how things should be done will be held against you. For all of the negatives there is still a real attractiveness to this simple, country lifestyle.

one of the best collections of stories of life, love and the pursuit of happiness.... plain and simple. a ton of memories of my childhood came flooding back into my mind, growing up in Kentucky and cherishing all those great things that made me who i've become. you will laugh, you will cry... very good book.

I read this book several years ago and recently bought it and read it again. I love all of Holt's writings. Wouldn't want the hard times but America would be a better place if we all got along like they do in this book.

in NY and Washington DC....is about time...but lets say 4 acres and a mule lets stay historically accurate and make it a mule.....

black people deserve it ..they can also guard the mexican border , be solar people...

Tell bloomberg and obama its time for change

You will enjoy reading this.

I did.

This was the worst book I have ever had the misfortune of reading. You see, I had to read it for school. I am 13 years old. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not just a stupid 13 year old who hates everything to do with reading; I LOVE to read. I usually like all the books I read, this is the first one I absolutely hated. No offense to the author or anything, but do people really care how she likes her biscuts? Or does she really think we care about the music for the song "Jesus Hold My Hand"? I mean, give me a break! So those of you who want to read this book, please consider this before wasting your precious money on this excuse for a book.