Spencer's Mountain (Library Binding)

~ Earl Hamner (Author) "ON THE DAY before Thanksgiving the Spencer clan began to gather..." (more)
Key Phrases: high school semester, white deer, Miss Parker, New Dominion, Clay Spencer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The classic novel that inspired the television series "The Waltons," read by the series' star.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 247 pages
• Publisher: Buccaneer Books (June 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568490224
• ISBN-13: 978-1568490229
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #184,053 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

18 of 20 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

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.

14 of 15 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 (REAL NAME)

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.