Spencer's Mountain [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Earl Hamner (Author), Richard Thomas (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1995

The classic novel that inspired the television series "The Waltons," read by the series' star.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Earl Hamner Jr. was born in Schuyler, a village in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. A novelist, author of award-winning teleplays and a respected television producer, his other books include Fifty Roads to Town, You Can't Get There From Here and Spencer's Mountain. Mr. Hamner lives in Los Angeles.

 

Richard Thomas is one of America's most highly gifted, versatile, and respected actors. A veteran of over forty years in entertainment, he is renowned for his Emmy Award-winning portrayal of John-Boy on The Waltons and has appeared in dozens of television movies, feature films, and theatrical productions. His recent works include Taking Woodstock, Wild Hearts, Annie's Point, and the role of Hamilton Whitney III on the series Just Cause. Richard's audiobook credits include a wide range from the inspirational books Selections from a Course in Miracles and Chop Wood, Carry Water to Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome and Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Abridged edition (August 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559273488
• ISBN-13: 978-1559273480
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,430,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice read., December 1, 2000

By 

Soggyinseattle (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Spencer's Mountain (Hardcover)

If you enjoyed watching The Walton's on TV, you will probably enjoy Spencer's Mountain, since apparently the show was based-on this book. The names are different, and you get a greater sense of the financial and social challenges facing the family, and there is no radio for the family to gather around after dinner, but it is very much the same story. If you can get past the differences in the names, you will be rewarded with a pleasant read, especially if read just before you drift off to sleep at night. Good night, John-boy.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Downhome Story Telling, December 18, 2003

By 

T. Thompson (Wales, ME) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spencer's Mountain (Hardcover)

This past summer I had the good fortune of visiting the hometown of Earl Hamner, author of Spencer's Mountain and creator of the television series The Waltons.
I happened to be in central Virginia on vacation and realized we were within 40 miles of Schuyler. This is a small town in the Blue Ridge mountains that happens to be the home of this gifted story teller.
From this visit I have acquired a new found love for all things Waltons.
Earl Hamner takes snippets from his life and turns them into earthy portrayals of growing up in a poor family and of "coming of age". It seems like we all have faced questions, problems, trials and triumphs like this.
This book was enjoyable to read and entertaining. I really couldn't help visualizing the tv family we all know... I guess that's what a well known classic show will do to you.
If you like the Waltons or stories from the depression era this book will appeal to you.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great coming of age story, November 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Spencer's Mountain (Hardcover)

I read this book in junior high, before The Waltons was produced. I loved it! It is a warm, humorous coming-of-age story, featuring Clay-Boy and his multitude of red-haired younger siblings growing up in Appalachia. The story centers around the fact that Clay-Boy (yes, an aspiring writer) wants to go to college, and his rural family must find a way to send him. He also discovers girls and the fickleness of young love, while his parents struggle with the financial hardship of the Depression years. Semi-autobiographical novel by Earl Hamner, Jr., on which the Waltons was based.