Depression Books

This is a book which is simplistic yet at the same time deep and inspiring. It simply leaves you with no excuses. It's length means it is a book you can truly read every day, yet will make you think and inspire you long after you've read it for the day.

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As quoted by Marden from this book. This book is all about harnessing the power of your self will to work for you instead of against you. Having a strong sense of will is meaningless if it is misdirected. This work delineates the steps one needs to take to create discipline and willpower to achieve one's goals. It is an absolute must read for anyone who wants to achieve the pinnacle of success in their personal and professional lives.

For those who are looking for a higher power to guide their lives this book may be of help. It stresses the importance of the human will in all endeavors. Reading this book once will inspire you breifly, but if you can summon the will power to sacrifice an hour each day to devote to reading this book, you will begin to inspire others and amaze yourself at the strength you can summon in your hour of need. You will accomplish things of which you only dreamed. Your efforts will become heroic.

I read a lot of business-marketing books. It's hard to believe that this book was written in 1901. The examples are motivating, although dated. A fast read at 49 pages. It reads like a slightly older version of ThHINK AND GROW RICH. I'm assuming that AN IRON WILL inspired and provided the framework for the Napoleon Hill book. Solid examples. I ordered several copies as gifts. This isn't the kind of book you read. It's the kind of book you study.

For those who are looking for a higher power to guide their lives this book may be of help. It stresses the importance of the human will in all endeavors. Reading this book once will inspire you breifly, but if you can summon the will power to sacrifice an hour each day to devote to reading this book, you will begin to inspire others and amaze yourself at the strength you can summon in your hour of need. You will accomplish things of which you only dreamed. Your efforts will become heroic.

Do you know what the voice of God sounds like? Would you like to hear Him speak to you in every circumstance of life - from the seemingly trivial to the truly important? Do you want to experience miracles in your everyday life? In her delightful book, "It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers," Carrie Lynn Jones doesn't just tell you how to do these things; she does something much better. By sharing her heart, Carrie demonstrates to the reader how one can have a walk with the Lord that is both intimate and extraordinary.

Carrie has the God given ability to express a childlike wonder and awe for the things of the Spirit. Her book had me chuckling one minute while tears were welling up in my eyes the next.

This small volume can be read in one sitting, but you might want to go back and read the individual stories again, savoring each one, and meditating on the lessons that are profound in their simplicity. I promise that reading this book will increase your faith, encourage your spirit, and inspire you in your walk with the Lord.

I think It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakerswas an intense but easy to read book that explained the wonder of God in terms anyone can get. I have a new outlook on God now. He is everywhere and in everything. This author has an intense child like faith and excitment for the Lord ever since he made himself real to her. She never let go of that. It is obvious that He is still the God who makes his presence known in wonderful ways. That didn't go away with the old testiment. I recommend this. Would make a nice gift for someone in your life who needs to know God.

I learned a lot from this small book. The God of the Old Testament is alive today! He hasn't changed. He is still mighty, awesome, indescribable. He still does miracles today! In fact, He longs to do signs and wonders in your life. He will make Himself real to you in breath-taking ways; He yearns to exhaust you with mind-blowing, thrilling, all-encompassing acts of love on a scale you cannot comprehend.

This book will give you a glimpse into just how big our God is. He is bigger than you could ever fathom; this book will give you chills up your spine and an excited hunger for more and more and more of Jesus.

Ms. Jones shares how Jesus became real to her during a troubled childhood and has remained so throughout her life. The best part of this book is that it leads the reader to discover how he can have the same vibrant, eternal relationship with Jesus.

It is honest. It is sweet. One cannot deny the true stories that are passionately declared. You will begin to look back on your own life and re-examine those little "coincidences" that you have forgotten about, and suddenly see the Savior standing next to each one.

This volume is just as good as all the other Steinbeck volumes within the Library of America series -which is to say that this collection of stories and novels is second to none. Steinbeck was a force and the guy will change your life. Read this and people will actually smell you becoming smarter.

It is surely a shame that Mr. Steinbeck forever will be confined to the archipelago of socio-economico-political literature. Too often a smug reviewer writes of Steinbeck's "moving" portrayal of the Joad family and their struggle against a growing America. "Oh, how I can 'identify' with the Preacher!" HUMBUG. Mr. Steinbeck wrote words, not ideas. His art is exquisite and melodious and stock-full of imagery. His structure, even in the volumunious Grapes, is compact and economical. His style, even in the scientific Log, is artistic and exact. And his ideas, even in the idea-ed Harvest, are irrelevant. Buy this book. But don't buy it because the blurb on the back says something about the Joads being an American archetype of the twentieth century; instead, buy it because it is literature - American literature - at its finest. Every sentence. Every word.

Political statements are always dangerous: one either completely convinces a reader of one's argument or forever alienates them. And, unfortunately, the end result is rarely dependent upon the quality or force of argument made by the author, but rather entirely dependent upon the notions with which the reader entered the "discussion".

Knowing this, it seems that one has to be of a particular mindset in order to enjoy the novels collected in "The Grapes of Wrath and Other Writings 1938-1941". The novels of this compilation attack many of the ideals upon which this country was founded -- and they do so by looking closely at those who have never really benefited from those ideals. This attack is carried out most effectively in the most prominent of the packaged novels: Steinbeck's classic "The Grapes of Wrath."

At an abstract level, this particular novel is an impassioned plea for change ... one that left many readers at the time of its publication both angry and frightened, and resulted in the book being placed on many academic "Banned" lists, and caused Steinbeck himself to be branded by some as anti-American.

That said, it is my opinion that "The Grapes of Wrath" is one of the best novels ever written, because it tells the story of those most affected by the Great Depression - those who never had much in the first place. In particular, it focuses on the Joad family as they are forced to relocate to California, to try to find enough work to put food on the table. Along with thousands of other displaced sharecroppers they are lured by colorful handbills advertising great jobs for all. California becomes Mecca to the families, many of whom have literally been forced out of their homes. Desperate, the families sell all of their belongings, buy cheap cars, and begin the arduous journey. Many do not make it, and those who do find to their dismay that all is not as promised.

This is an extremely powerful novel. The reader comes to know the members of the Joad family and their friends as people, not just as characters in a story. We are able to identify with them as they suffer hardship after hardship. Written in an accessible style, and spellbinding throughout, this novel is certainly a deserving classic, and it dominates this excellent new collection of Steinbeck's fiction.

grapes of wrath is a great book. it is about a family that goes through ups and downs every chapter. and a man who wats to get his family back on track, cause his father lost his farm land in Oklahoma. So they head to California to find new jobs but there new jobs arn't the same as having there own land, cause when they had there own land they had no boss but when they head to Cali. they are not happy cause they are bossed around.

I, like many, first read this _The Grapes of Wrath_ in high school. Then, it piqued a great curiosity about recent (this century) American history that my teachers could never satisfy. A recent re-reading, however, has shown me the great depth that I missed the first time. Read it slowly, savor the dogged, determined hopelessness that was life for many of our immediate ancestors. From the sad beginning to the desperate ending, it will teach you, and reach you.

This book absolutely changed my life and the way I previously perceived panic attacks and depression. I am so grateful God led me to this book. Thank you Janet Dravecky for writing your story!!!

This book is a tremendous help to someone (especially a Christian) suffering from loss and/or depression. It would also be a help to you if you have a friend or loved one suffering from these things. It is a very easy and quick book to read since it is written in a conversational manner. You get the feeling that you are a friend to whom Jan Dravecky is telling her story and sharing sound advice and support. The book came to me when I needed it most, and I will always be thankful for that. I am sorry the Dravecky family has been through so much, but out of their experience many will be blessed.

Jan is a tremendous inspiration to all women struggling with control issues but are not admitting it to themselves or others. Her insights into how being in control controlled her life is truly a gift from God. Ms Dravecky pulls from the bottom of her heart strings in order to share her life's struggles and triumphs. I read this book last summer after having lost the job of my dreams on short notice and without prospects of another one. Feeling her pain and rejoicing in her ability to get to the other side because of her strong spiritual beliefs enabled me to gain strength in my own battle. Being in control is not always in our best interest is the lesson here, as difficult as that may seem to most women in that position. A great book !

Jan is a tremendous inspiration to all women struggling with control issues but are not admitting it to themselves or others. Her insights into how being in control controlled her life is truly a gift from God. Ms Dravecky pulls from the bottom of her heart strings in order to share her life's struggles and triumphs. I read this book last summer after having lost the job of my dreams on short notice and without prospects of another one. Feeling her pain and rejoicing in her ability to get to the other side because of her strong spiritual beliefs enabled me to gain strength in my own battle. Being in control is not always in our best interest is the lesson here, as difficult as that may seem to most women in that position. A great book !

I immensely gained from reading this book. This book is the true story of a Christian woman who "thought" she knew what Christianity was all about - mostly by being helpful and in control and people-pleasing, and looking and acting a certain part. I know this to be true of so many people (especially the "in control" and the "looking and acting a certain part"). She, like so many people, thought Christians had perfect lifes and nothing ever went wrong. I especially agree with her (on page 24) where she says: ". . . valuable lessons I could not have learned by staying on the high road where the sun always shines".

Another one of her quotes that I was really thankful to read is on page 198: ". . . lie out there (that the church sometimes supports) that we are to look and act a certain way". That really hit home for me because of something I had been through.

She is open and honest in this book. We realize that true Christians (and people trying to become such) are just like anybody else. They don't have any special "grace" to make them be "perfect" and "unbroken".

I would recommend this book to anyone. Whether you're going through a rough time, or have unresolved or unanswered anger or issues, or wondering why your life isn't perfect, or wondering why you have to put on a front to make it appear that your life is perfect, or just if you are or want to be a Christian - and that covers everyone who would be interested.

There's so much I could say about this wonderful book, but I don't want to say much more, because I want people to be able to read this book without me giving anything away. But to sum it up, I will say that after she gave up her control, and let God be in control, she found joy.

I needed something to read so I bought a couple of sets of Leisha Kelly's books. I do notice that she improves as a writer as each new book came out. They are a little slow and repetative for my taste, but still enjoyable. My friend that I passed them on to loved them.

I so enjoyed this book about the continuing struggles of the Wortham family. It was the most heart warming story I have read, yet. I love the generosity and love of the the characters. Along with the inner struggles to be the kind of person Jesus taught, we should be. It gives hope that people can really love their neighbor as themselves and that during hard times as well as joyous times they can truely live together, helping one another. I am very anxious to read the next book about the Worthams and their extended family.

I have read all three of Leisha Kelly's books starting with Julia's Hope, Emma's Gift and now Katie's Dream. I feel to get the whole story you need all three. I Can't wait till the next book comes out. I love the way she uses Scripture thru out the books and being raised in the country can relate to alot of the things in the books. Please hurry and write another one. God Bless, Songbird

In 1932 in Dearing, Illinois Samuel and Julia Wortham raise two children on a farm bequeathed to them by their dear friend Emma Graham. The pious Worthams also try to help their widower neighbor George Hammond with his large brood of children.

Following a Fourth of July celebration, Sam's brother Edward awaits them with a little girl inside his car. Edward insists little Katie is Samuel's daughter; Samuel knows that this cannot be true as he insists he has been faithful to his wife. The child looks like him and Edward had been in prison during the conception of the little girl. Katie desperately seeks affiliation with a family having been rejected by her mother. Her prayers lie in finding her real father and have him take her in. Julia has doubts about whether Samuel sired Katie encouraged by Edward the serpent. Will he destroy the love between this couple or will the belief in God shared by Julia and Samuel offer solace as they struggle to make a home for the child while other tests of their faith occur?

KATIE'S DREAM is a terrific Christian Depression Era family drama starring a deep cast that brings the disheartened period to life when the government sat idly waiting for the recovery around the corner while a belief in God provided solace for many. The fully developed cast shows the impact of the Great Depression on rural America. Especially intriguing is the difference between Samuel and Edward who share the same dismal childhood with the former turning to God and the latter to crime. Leisha Kelly furbishes a powerful historical that will send readers seeking her previous tales (see JULIA'S HOPE AND EMMA'S GIFT).

Harriet Klausner

All three of Kelly's books in this series are quality Christian (historial) fiction. In other words not your typical fluff. The Wortham family and their struggles becomes so endearing to the reader. These books certainly challenge me to greater faith in difficult times. I am eagerly looking forward to the fourth book.

Caroline Henderson's letters are historic and illustrative and heart-wrenching. You get to know this truly remarkable person and how life was in this era through her writings and see the progress from youth and hope and optimism to age and despair. Losing her at the end of the book was like losing a dear grandmother. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in studying The Great Depression and The Dust Bowl. I read it as a companion to "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan.

This book is best read quickly, if not at a sitting, then over a weekend. In that way Henderson's prose gets its power, and it will take you from youthful optimism to euphoria, then to despair, and then to a sort of middle ground in which she makes peace with herself and the land. She's at her best when she describes her mental and verbal battles with intolerant churchmen: she just couldn't buy into the vengeful God of the itinerant evangelists of the time, and she was not shy about expressing her opinions. This book will make the Great Plains and Dust Bowl come alive, not as a scholarly, "objective" tome, but as a woman's journey of the heart. A very nice read.

Deftly edited for contemporary readers by Alvin O. Turner, Letters From The Dust Bowl is a collection of letters and published materials written by Caroline Henderson (1877-1965), a woman who lived through the Oklahoma Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Her articles on the Dust Bowl first began appearing in "Atlantic Monthly" in 1931, drawing the woes of American farmers into the public eye. Her correspondence and articles, which date from 1908 to 1966, offers insight into the daily struggle to put food on the table, and her descriptions of the dust storms that covered the Plains are unforgettable. Enhanced with a biographical essay and precise annotations supplementing this extraordinary compilation, Letters From The Dust Bowl is highly recommended for students of 20th Century American History.

This is trying. The personal letters presented in the book convey a manner with which Caroline uses to overcome life stresses that come with homesteading a difficult land in a fickle environment. The Hendersons live quite alone in No Mans Land. The welfare of the Henderson family depends strictly on their ability to manifest a steady resource of food substances for nutrition and for trade. The letters from Caroline Henderson are written in a very flowery style that worked well in the early half of the 20th century. Digesting the text isn't easy if you've become adapted to the pace of life today.

However, the reader is treated to an infinite barrel of wisdom. Certainly, Caroline had to deal with much more in her life than overcoming writing styles, so it helps knowing this just to get through the book. It is easy to miss what is really going on here. Homesteading requires a harvest of food for nutrition and another harvest of food for the soul. The book talks very little about dust storms. More is spoken of the planted gladiolas, the harvest, the songs of birds, and of Christmas. Letters are torn up in frustration, and rewritten to be positive. Each response to a letter opens with words of thanks for encouragement offered.

This little book is terrific - the kind of book that changes lives. If you enjoyed Victor E. Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" you might also love this. Though not analytical and direct as Frankl, it quietly relates shared personal values. In contrast to Frankl, Henderson lives very much in freedom, but within the shackles of her environoment.

Alvin Turner likes to quip that "Letters from the Dustbowl" is the "best written book" that the University of Oklahoma Press will publish this year. Indeed, Caroline Henderson, the author of the columns and letters it contains, may be the most quoted authority on the social aspects of the dustbowl. Her views on Oklahoma farm life were disseminated across the country both in her columns for "Ladies' World," and her "Letters from the Dustbowl," were published in "Atlantic Monthly." In selecting material for this book, Turner told me that he had twice as many columns and letters than would fit. Alvin Turner is the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

Caroline Henderson moved to a farm near Eva, Oklahoma, in 1907. During the next six decades, she and her husband, Will, endured the hardship of depressions and the dustbowl on their farm, with really only one bumper crop to show for their labors. Turner's overall introduction, as well as his introduction to each section, does well to place Henderson's life in context. She had great dreams for her life, both as a literate woman and as a farmer but by the end of her life, she is disillusioned and considers herself a failure.

Most of Henderson's farming experience demonstrates that dreams can save a person from an otherwise mean life. In 1917 she wrote, "The fact that we cannot see the end does not relieve us of our obligation to push forward, to gain every inch we can in humanity's forward march." As a young farm wife, she met challenges with inventiveness, and hardship with strong will. Even as crops withered and neighbors moved away, she finds beauty in flowers and friendship in animals. However, too many failed crops and dried-up dreams took their toll on Henderson's optimism. In 1952, she wrote in a letter to her daughter, "Every day seems to bring some new sorrow in these last years of fruitless effort and disappointment." With dreams dashed, Henderson loses all sense of proportion and she reads each setback as catastrophe.

"Letters from the Dust Bowl" is as heartbreaking as it is inspirational. Al Turner is right; it's a very well written book.

This book was fantastic from cover to cover, if you are into horses or not there is much to learn from the passion of Elaine Hall and her faith in the Lord along with preseverance, Penny did a beautiful job of introducing each player with enough information to easily remember who played what part in the ups and downs of Larry and Elaine's lives...BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN YEARS.
Karrie

I know nothing about horses but a friend let me borrow this book and it made me look at myself and all the good I have around me. She loved her husband and had such a strong faith in the Lord that her problems seemed to be able to be overcome. It makes you feel better, just reading the book. I could not put it down, I had to keep reading. The author puts so much into the book, it's a must read. I'm waiting for her next one with anticipation.

this book is just awesome the author did a great job with the stats on the horses and events,and the life that the Halls lived,it was so inspiring to read, and the emotions were brought out so realisticly, it was a very hard book to put down untill the very end.
Judy Oakes

Loving Larry is touching story of love with the trials of real life thrown in. It was written in a way that I felt the love and pain through which this family lived. This book shows how the faith of one person can change many lifes - something that we see to little of but all can learn from.

If one book can make you grateful for what you have, restore your faith and appreciate life - this one is it.

I really enjoyed reading it, even though I didn't totally follow all of the horse information, foal history. The story was put together so well, flowed together with thoughts and feelings. After I was done reading the book I felt so much admiration for Elaine to live as she has. What an inspiring woman!! I alternated between chuckles and tears during the book.

Penny is a great author who captured the essence of Elaine, from her great faith, to the love for her family.

This author speaks with the authority of a mom who's been there. I found myself relating to her points and nodding right along with the text, saying, "Yup, that's me, too." It was a relief to find a term for this feeling many new mothers have, and to have some tangible suggestions for how to proceed. A wonderful and necessary book.

Thank you Anne Smollon for highlighting a process many of us go through when we add "mother" to our identity. I had a very difficult time expressing what I was going through, in a way my husband could relate to, when we welcomed our daughter. His life changed because he had a wonderful addition to his life. My life changed in every way possible. This book beautifully addresses what some of us go through, and offers the understanding and support I was craving when my child was young. I think this book will help couples work through the beginning stages of parenting better together. I will recommend it to all mothers and fathers!
Tracy

Wow! I finally have the words to express what I was feeling. Being a single parent presented a host of challenges for me. The guilt over feeling as though I was not "enough" for my children kept me constantly seeking knowledge about parenting. All the parenting skills in the world didn't cure the sadness. I was consumed by the demands of parenting alone and always had sadness about me which I couldn't put my finger on. On top of feeling guilt over my inadequacies I felt guilt for feeling sad because "good" mothers shouldn't feel sad. Ugh! MIA hit the nail on the head for me. I needed the words to express this experience of grief and loss of self. I only wish I read it when I was a younger mother. Bravo to this author for her insight and willingness to share her experience.

Things sure did change after having kids. My wife didn't seem happy anymore. She came across this book searching the net and now has a new perspective on life and herself. Not only has it taught her a better insight on being a mother and being HERSELF, happy and whole again, it's obviously enlightened me. W.P.S.

I'm so grateful that I found this book. It has helped me to deal with my sadness and guilt by looking at it in a whole new way. I feel so much better; every mom, new or "experienced" should read this book.

I was recently diagnosed bipolar I at 37 years old. I'm also in in alcohol recovery through a major Detroit hospital. Reading this text was as if reading about myself. My wife has found its contents helpful as well. Dr. Whybrow must be commended on a masterpiece...he seems to be truly compassionate toward those who suffer this hellish disease. God bless you, doctor for professionals like yourself. "We" need you.

A Mood Apart: Depression, Mania, & Other Afflictions of the Self is a terrific book for those of us like myself who have suffered with Bipolar Disorder(Manic Depression) for 35 years. The book covers a wide range of topics including meds. Dr. Whybrow & his group at the Univ of Penn. are one of the leading research groups in this field. If it were not for people of the caliber of Dr. Whybrow and Dr. Kay Jamison of Johns Hopkins, I would not be in remission or medication stabile today. Dr. Whybrow's book "A Mood Apart: The Thinker's Guide to Emotion & Its Disorders" is the paperback version of the above book and not a new title. Maury Schiowitz

"A Mood Apart" is aptly subtitled " Depression, Mania and Other Affliction of the Self". It is a must-read by anyone touched with unipolar depression or Bipolar Disorder, whether sufferer, family member, physician, or researcher. It is an excellent volume for layperson and professional alike. Dr. Whybrow recognizes that other parts of the person, the soul are deeply affected by this illness. It's not just a chemical problem. Dr. Whybrow's writing style is clear, concise, descriptive and charming. Using several case histories through the book, Whybrow examines what we have learned against the light of real people and thus, brings the reader forward in understanding, one step at a time. He presented information that I have not found elsewhere about the limbic system and emotion and ties it all into the person, the patient that has to live with it. Singular views of the use of pills or therapy alone have finally been put to rest with his careful reasoning. He brings them together into a cohesive

I bought this book soley based on the few glowing reviews listed here. While I was a bit skeptical given how great people said this book is, I have to concur. I think this is one of the best books on depression and I've read quite a few. The case studies he presents are so well written it's like reading a novel. But he balances that with good technical insights.

"A Mood Apart" is aptly subtitled " Depression, Mania and Other Affliction of the Self". It is a must-read by anyone touched with unipolar depression or Bipolar Disorder, whether sufferer, family member, physician, or researcher. It is an excellent volume for layperson and professional alike. Dr. Whybrow recognizes that other parts of the person, the soul are deeply affected by this illness. It's not just a chemical problem. Dr. Whybrow's writing style is clear, concise, descriptive and charming. Using several case histories through the book, Whybrow examines what we have learned against the light of real people and thus, brings the reader forward in understanding, one step at a time. He presented information that I have not found elsewhere about the limbic system and emotion and ties it all into the person, the patient that has to live with it. Singular views of the use of pills or therapy alone have finally been put to rest with his careful reasoning. He brings them together into a cohesive

I feel like this book, with its collection of oral histories, would make great supplementary reading for high school A.P. U.S. History classes or for American Studies curricula at the undergraduate and graduate level.

It's got a nice blend of academic approach and non-academic narrative style.

This stimulating collection is a veritable trip to a past American era, an inclusive picture of our nation at a time of crisis and rediscovery. The essays range from the sentimental to the dramatic to the humorous, but above all they are informative. It's a book to keep on your night table to browse at will. (Disclosure: A piece of mine is included.)

every so often a book appears that epitomizes an era and manages to encapsulate shared experience from many unique points of view. "a nation lost and found" belongs in that rarified pantheon of memoirs. if only history were taught routinely this way. at approaching age 72 i can clearly remember listening to norman corwin's broadcast after v.e. day "on a note of triumph" and the chills of recognition, hope, and caution his words produced. an american giant of his time, still. all the essays are memorable. required reading for anyone in the least interested in the events of the 20th century and what they tell us of human folly and hope. norman d. levine, md

According to the LA Times Book Review (9/22/02) this book is, "a delightful, cinematic, even musical way to understand the daily lives of Americans at a particularly vulnerable, tottering moment in our history." I couldn't agree more. It chronicles what may be the seminal year in our nation's history when we pulled together with a strong sense of national identity. The LA Times goes on to say, "If more history were written this way, we'd have eager students, driven to the subject with a greater sense of diversity and possibility. We all might have a finer understanding of what freedom means." The reviewer did us all a service by bringing this book to our attention.

Consisting of vignettes contributed by people both famous and unknown, A Nation Lost and Found describes life in America in 1936. Some contributions are taken from WPA interviews (from the 30s) and reflect the speakers' then current lives and concerns; most are remembrances produced for this book. The vignettes are loosely organized in sections such as, "Politics," " The Holocaust," "Daily Life," and "The Olympics." In their Introduction the authors place the book in the context of 9/11, saying the terrorist attack was not the first time there has been a major catastrophe in this country,
Most of us were not alive in 1936. This book, then, is about a time our parents and/or grandparents experienced. Thus, the book is of interest not only from a disinterested historical perspective, but also from a more personal, familial perspective, because it speaks of the experiences and attitudes of some of our family members and members of their communities.
The vignettes reflect many viewpoints. Some of the contributors seem to have been unaware of the suffering and turmoil in the world. In the words of one man, "Depression is a state of mind. There was no depression in 1936." Others were well aware of the difficult circumstances many experienced. To quote another, "It was a great year if you didn't care about eating."
Those who were poor had various strategies for coping. Some went to Canada for work. Others scrimped, wearing second-hand clothes and skipping trips to the doctor or dentist. A number rented rooms. A few women became prostitutes.
The authors do not attempt to draw lessons from what they present or to analyze the material. They present it as a book to be "browsed at random." In this they have succeeded admirably. All of the vignettes are interesting. Many are gems.