Customer Reviews

Generous Women: An Appreciation

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In his introduction to Generous Women, Earl Hamner quotes from one of his favorite books, Thomas Wolfe's Look Homeward Angel. He says "...it prompted me to count some of the influences on my life and how they led me to become the man I am today." In his latest book, Hamner counts those influences in the form of short vignettes, some poignant, some funny, and some surprising, about the women he has known throughout his life.

For Hamner fans, the joy of reading his books is that, with each one, we learn a little more about him. In Generous Women we glean more about his college and army days, and his early career, in the context of the helpful and giving women he encounters at each stage. As his biographer, Jim Person, says in Earl Hamner: From Walton's Mountain to Tomorrow, "...there are pervasive themes that run throughout Hamner's work, which shows a man forever taking a backward glance to his roots for direction in the way of what makes life worthwhile, [and] who allows that vision to direct his steps forward..."

Generous Women is a beautiful read and a genuine tribute to a wide assemblage of women who have offered Hamner important gifts at impressionable moments. Would that more of us had Hamner's open-hearted capacity to overlook the negative and to offer similar expressions of gratitude for the positive interactions in our lives. I'm hoping a companion book, Generous Men, is to follow.

While Earl Hamner will forever be known as the creator of wonderful TV shows like the Waltons and Falcon Crest, his most important gift is his ability to put words on paper and make a reader feel as if Earl is sitting on the front porch swing talking directly to you as he tells a wonderful story.
In Generous Women Mr. Hamner tells stories and pays tribute to women he has known that have influenced him over his 80 plus years. Many of the stories will make you laugh, some cry, but all of the chapters give an insight and a heartfelt appreciation to the wide array of women.
Writing teachers through out the country should make this book mandatory reading.
Earl Hamner is a true national treasure.

This book is a must have for anyone who is an Earl Hamner or Walton fan. Mr. Hamner's rawest emotions exude from each page as he so eloquently shares his thoughts and experiences about the women of his latest book.

I'm a fan of everything Earl Hamner has ever produced. Therefore, I really loved this book; particularly because of his generosity to these women. He has included women in many walks of life; from a landlady to first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. For me, the lesson of this book is to pay more attention to people I meet; these memories may come in handy down the road.

I have never purchased anything on Amazon and been disappointed. This book was in excellent condition, and is a delightful read. Thank you so much.

This is the bio that I was looking for. Hamner used the framework of describing his female connections during his lifetime.

Got it, enjoyed it.....ordered it with another book that I never got, but that's okay!

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)

"Each of our lives is the result of a myriad of encounters with an astonishing variety of our fellow human beings." Earl Hamner celebrates the lives of 29 remarkable women that touched his life.

Where else would Mr. Hamner start than with his mother, Doris Giannini Hamner? "My mother and father had a good marriage. They genuinely loved each other. Some evidence that they got along reasonably well is that eight children were the result of their love." His series "The Walton's" was based on memories of his childhood growing up in Virginia.

Ellen Corby played the part of Grandma Walton in the TV series. Ellen brought tartness to a show filled with sweet characters. While Ellen and Earl did not always see eye to eye they developed a strong friendship over the years. Ellen's life defines tenacity. After suffering a stroke she returned to her role as Grandma uttering the words, "Need Me!"

Patricia Neal played the role of Olivia in the special "The Homecoming." She was beautiful and elegant. She later stated that the reason she didn't play Olivia in the series was because she "wasn't asked."

Olivia was my favorite character in the series. Michael Learned "was then and remains today, a radiant actress, an exciting and loyal friend." The stress of a long running series took its toll on both Earl and Michael but their friendship persevered.

Famed author Earl Hamner celebrates the lives and offers thanks to the women who generously gave to his life. He includes his mother, wife, daughter and various other people, some famous and some not so famous. As I read this book, I kept hearing that famous voice echo from the past. It was as though I could hear "John Boy" reading to me. Earl is an excellent writer and I truly enjoyed his perspective on these wonderful women. We should all take time to thank the people that contribute to our lives. I highly recommend "Generous Women" to everyone.

Received book free of charge.

This book was very well written. The ladies written about were interesting people.

Item came as described... in very good condition; well packaged and sent in a very timely manner.