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The Tamarack Tree
Historical Fiction, Fictional Novel
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 17, 2017
The author takes a look at how people's lives are changed by what they see and hear. In this case it is a psychological look at what a political rally has on the people of a small town. I have found books by this author really are an examination of people and the inner workings of their hearts and minds.
July 16, 2021
The Tamarack Tree by Howard Breslin
"This was a fact: alone in the midst of that great clearing, untouched, the tamarack tree stood in the morning sunshine of the first warm day of the spring that came to Stratton Mountain, in the township of Stratton, in the state of Vermont, in the election year of 1840." p. 4
This small town in rural Vermont is chosen by the Whig Party to nominate Ohian William Henry Harrison and Virginia Senator John Tyler ("Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.") to face Democrat Martin Van Buren in the 1840 general election for President of the US. A gathering is scheduled for July 6 - 8, 1840 at the clearing where the Tamarack Tree has stood for years. A log cabin is built to host the thousands that gathered for the convention.
With Van Buren weakened by economic woes, Harrison won a popular majority and 234 of 294 electoral votes. The book ends with the death of Van Buren, just 31 days after assuming the presidency.
The plot follows several local families and how they were affected by the convention. It was fun to see how similar to present-day campaigns this one was. With people breaking into Whip or Democrat camps and animosity running high between neighbors. The book relies heavily on the local families that inhabit the town: The Chesters, The Braytons, The Turbox's, The Purdy's, The Patch's, The Chittendens, and how they are affected by the onslaught of visitors. There are some curious visitors: Thomas (Tom) Jefferson Dunbar who comes from Virginia with his black slave, Hoc, Dr. Portus J Merrifield, A. B., D. P., M. H. - selling his Epizootical Elixir and accompanied by the orphan Mercy.
The book is narrated from a universal point of view, with characters never fully developed. It was a very slow read, mostly boring, and very hard to follow. I was disappointed and had a very hard time finishing it.
Not Recommended.
"This was a fact: alone in the midst of that great clearing, untouched, the tamarack tree stood in the morning sunshine of the first warm day of the spring that came to Stratton Mountain, in the township of Stratton, in the state of Vermont, in the election year of 1840." p. 4
This small town in rural Vermont is chosen by the Whig Party to nominate Ohian William Henry Harrison and Virginia Senator John Tyler ("Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.") to face Democrat Martin Van Buren in the 1840 general election for President of the US. A gathering is scheduled for July 6 - 8, 1840 at the clearing where the Tamarack Tree has stood for years. A log cabin is built to host the thousands that gathered for the convention.
With Van Buren weakened by economic woes, Harrison won a popular majority and 234 of 294 electoral votes. The book ends with the death of Van Buren, just 31 days after assuming the presidency.
The plot follows several local families and how they were affected by the convention. It was fun to see how similar to present-day campaigns this one was. With people breaking into Whip or Democrat camps and animosity running high between neighbors. The book relies heavily on the local families that inhabit the town: The Chesters, The Braytons, The Turbox's, The Purdy's, The Patch's, The Chittendens, and how they are affected by the onslaught of visitors. There are some curious visitors: Thomas (Tom) Jefferson Dunbar who comes from Virginia with his black slave, Hoc, Dr. Portus J Merrifield, A. B., D. P., M. H. - selling his Epizootical Elixir and accompanied by the orphan Mercy.
The book is narrated from a universal point of view, with characters never fully developed. It was a very slow read, mostly boring, and very hard to follow. I was disappointed and had a very hard time finishing it.
Not Recommended.
December 22, 2020
Interesting novel about a mountainside convention held in Stratton, Vermont, during the 1940 Presidential Election between Whig’s “Tippecanoe & Tyler, too.” And the Democrat & York State’s Van Buren. The Dutchman “living lavishly in the White House” who wasn’t popular in the area, and well-known Daniel Webster was coming to give a speech. The Whig Convention turned the small settlement in a 3 Day community of 20,000 folks, bringing a wide variety of characters - along with all their issues & opportunities for gain & loss. The event also released folks from their normal behaviors to explore possibilities. Not all liberties & freedoms taken went to plan, but some folks lives were changed positively, while others suffered the consequences of their choices.
Reading this 1947 book about the politics and opinions of the 1840 Presidential Election, during this 2020 Presidential Election was humorous. Stories about fat & soft Van Buren eating off gold plate, wearing a corset and other rumors to belittle him against the Tippecanoe war hero General Harrison, and Tyler - Who? Anger & emotions and eagerness to spread stories against the other’s candidate. Anger towards politicians and bankers. Politics as usual.
Just finished reading The Epidemic & Plague Ship during this COVID pandemic, before reading The Tamarack Tree. Time for some lighter fare!
Reading this 1947 book about the politics and opinions of the 1840 Presidential Election, during this 2020 Presidential Election was humorous. Stories about fat & soft Van Buren eating off gold plate, wearing a corset and other rumors to belittle him against the Tippecanoe war hero General Harrison, and Tyler - Who? Anger & emotions and eagerness to spread stories against the other’s candidate. Anger towards politicians and bankers. Politics as usual.
Just finished reading The Epidemic & Plague Ship during this COVID pandemic, before reading The Tamarack Tree. Time for some lighter fare!
June 29, 2009
I was disappointed.
I closed the book after about 50 pages and literally threw it away. The writing and the characters were intriguing, to say the least, but the morals presented should not have been present and I refused to continue reading of a marital affair, graphic romance, murder, and whatever else, even if those were only sub-plot elements. The overall plot tempted me as being historically interesting and so forth, but these undesirable elements were too many and too blatant to be overlooked.
I was disappointed.
I closed the book after about 50 pages and literally threw it away. The writing and the characters were intriguing, to say the least, but the morals presented should not have been present and I refused to continue reading of a marital affair, graphic romance, murder, and whatever else, even if those were only sub-plot elements. The overall plot tempted me as being historically interesting and so forth, but these undesirable elements were too many and too blatant to be overlooked.
I was disappointed.
July 22, 2011
i liked it because the book it's named for my tree, but i also enjoyed reading this old-style novel. steamy trysts, political uproar, scandal and violence -- this was doubtlessly the pulp fiction of its day.
August 29, 2016
I thought it was a really good book. It is about a political convention on Stratton Mountain in the 1840's, and it really brought back that time. There were all sorts of steamy sub-plots as well. Overall it really held my attention, and I would like to read some more from this author!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews