Earth Sweat Blood and Tears [Paperback]

John Messer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 7, 2003

This story told in colloquial language of the time is a must read for those who love great family stories about the South. The central character is a young boy and his family on a rented cotton farm in rural Arkansas just before, during and after WWII.The memorial given Ol' Gray, the horse that was much loved by his father; Ol' Pal the dog of his boyhood; his meeting of Uncle Tom the boot legger; the fear and horror of Polio and many others will surely enthrall you.The sacrifices of his mother "The General" will touch your heart. We may view religion of that time as quaint in our modern era. But you will marvel at her faith.The stories are in short essay form and cover periods from the time of the Civil War, as told by his 92-year-old Uncle Floyd, through his fourteenth year.The influence of his grandparents, parents and siblings are related in a manner that you will come away feeling you know them. You will thrill at their successes and feel pain with their failures.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Author lives in quiet revere, near San Diego, California with his wife "Peg" of forty-five years. He wrote two other books before endeavoring to improve on this version of ESB&T. He considers the documenting of his family history his finest work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (October 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595295649
• ISBN-13: 978-0595295647
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,976,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much More Than One Man's Story, November 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Earth Sweat Blood and Tears (Hardcover)

After receiving the book "Earth Sweat Blood and Tears" from a family member, I picked it up one morning just for something to read as I made my way to the office via the local public transportation--not expecting anything would really catch my interest. I absolutely was not expecting what I found once I cracked the cover of this fabulous book. What I found was an immediate connection with the author, although obviously we come from completely different backgrounds and different beliefs I was instantly consumed in the authors life of the time. The ability the authors has to mentally place you at the scene is uncanny. In a matter of just a few lines read--you feel as if you have traveled back in time to rural Arkansas and are watching the author from the sidelines as he lives through the trials and tribulations of being on a cotton farm in the 1930's and 40's.

It was impossible for me to put this book down once I started reading. I did not want to leave the author's world as he saw it; but rather wanted to stay with him and help him fight his battles; help him to understand life; and to just put my arms around him and his devoted mother--that he respectively refers to as "The General"--and give them both a hug. This book will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and will give you a new respect for the Southern part of the United States and what life was like for the people who lived there. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age and any background, as regardless of who you are YOU WILL develop and immediate respect and loyalty for the author. I have recently learned that this author has another book out titled "Guardians of the Eagle" which this reader CANNOT WAIT to start reading. I will be writing a raving review on that book as well I'm sure if it is anywhere near as good or as moving as "Earth Sweat Blood and Tears."

A final comment about this book; the only regret I had in reading it was when the book ended. I wanted so much to follow the author on to the next chapter of his life. I only wished that the book was a series of books as I'm sure there is much that remains untold.