True story and very enjoyable read about the Elswyth Thane's life on a farm that she, and her naturalist husband William Beebe, created through the years in Wilington, Vermont.
Famed storyteller and author of numerous historical novels tells her own personal story of reclaiming a neglected farm in the southern Vermont hills against the background of a world in chaos during WWII. A charming look at an inexperienced farmer finding a balance of productivity and curiosity amidst endless activities such as building, haying, sugaring, seeding, cultivating, and the loving task of transforming a house into a home. Forty delightly drawings by Helen Tee-Van add to the enjoyment of the book.
Anonymous reviewed The Strength of the Hills on
Of all the books about country homes and a return to the ,and, The Strength of the Hills is prbably the most original and certainly one of the most charming. Elswyth Thane, famed storyteller and author of numerous histroical novels, here tells her personal story of reclaiming a negelcted farm in the southern Vermont hills.
Against the background of a world in chaos during World War 11, she shares the details of her struggle to achieve a balanced and happy existance as an inexperienced and , at first, reluctant farmer. Her psotscript assures us that the struggle was more than worthwhile and that her efforts continue to be a source of strength to this day.
With encouragemtn from her husband , the great naturalist, Dr. William Beebe, that farm was slowly bringng the pleasures of building anew in an era fraught with destruction and sdesolation. Included are charming epicsoeds with a pet finch named Chee-wee, a bright bird whose feats were viewed with awe and untending surprise. The reader follows with delight and curiosity the seemingly endless activity involved in painting and building, haying and sugaring, seeding, cultivating, installing machinery, and the lvoing task of transforming a house into a home.
Along with forty drawings prepared by Helen Tee-Van, fun is provided by the observations of Miss Thanes. distinguished husband, who took a lively interest in his wife's agronomic acitivty, though mores an onlooker than an accomplice.
Against the background of a world in chaos during World War 11, she shares the details of her struggle to achieve a balanced and happy existance as an inexperienced and , at first, reluctant farmer. Her psotscript assures us that the struggle was more than worthwhile and that her efforts continue to be a source of strength to this day.
With encouragemtn from her husband , the great naturalist, Dr. William Beebe, that farm was slowly bringng the pleasures of building anew in an era fraught with destruction and sdesolation. Included are charming epicsoeds with a pet finch named Chee-wee, a bright bird whose feats were viewed with awe and untending surprise. The reader follows with delight and curiosity the seemingly endless activity involved in painting and building, haying and sugaring, seeding, cultivating, installing machinery, and the lvoing task of transforming a house into a home.
Along with forty drawings prepared by Helen Tee-Van, fun is provided by the observations of Miss Thanes. distinguished husband, who took a lively interest in his wife's agronomic acitivty, though mores an onlooker than an accomplice.
