On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

You finished The Thread That Runs So True. Or didn't. What did you think? If you write a review, please post a link to your review in this discussion topic. We want to know what you think! If you are or have been a teacher, we'd be especially interested in how this book struck you. Spoilers are allowed here. So fire away.

Here is a review by Diane: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... I only gave this 3 stars because the writing was simplistic and clunky, but the content was very good, if thought provoking. Our world has changed in many ways since he was teaching, not so much in others. I think the teachers among us will enjoy this quite a bit.

"The Thread That Runs So True" is an amazing story! I'm a former teacher, grades K-12 and adult in my career, always in urban high-risk schools. The stories of teachers in the days of multiple grade levels in one class amaze me. Jesse Stuart has a voice that rings true and his experiences of having to prove himself physically and politically with students, parents, school board and administration were fascinating, showing how much school life has changed, as well as insight into the personalities. (I remember paddling, growing up in my own rural school, but no one ever dreamed of hitting a teacher! As a teacher myself, I see instances today of teachers being bullied again.) Above all Stuart's words and tales shine with the impulse of service and improvement for those around him, seeing education as a necessity for a good life, and including character improvement. This is something I realized as a high school teacher in my first year, that one is an example and should make moral statements, for some students experience only survival tactics. "Good teaching is forever and the teacher is immortal." - Jesse Stuart. Thanks for recommending this. As a memoir editor and consultant, I also know the power and ephemerality of memory, but Stuart convinced -- me his story is really exciting, even today.