The History Book Club discussion

This is a thread dedicated to the history, well known people and events associated with the great state of Maine.

You may add books that take place in this state, are about this state, have a scene that takes place in this state or have events where this state is mentioned. There is no self promotion on the History Book Club.

Here is the flag of the state of Maine:

Janann Sherman

The above book is a biography of the former Maine state senator: Margaret Chase Smith.

Publisher's Synopsis:

Margaret Chase Smith served thirty-three years in the U.S. Congress (1940 to 1973). Her congressional tenure spanned the administrations of six presidents and three major wars, and marked significant changes in the roles of women in all aspects of American life. For most of her twenty-four years as a senator Smith served as the only woman. She was the first woman to seek the nomination of a major political party for the presidency of the United States.

By the time she left office, Senator Smith was the most powerful woman in American politics. From her positions on the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the Aeronautical and Space Sciences Committee, she exercised considerable influence over a broad range of military, foreign, and domestic policies. Yet, Smith did not view herself as a feminist; in fact, she disparaged feminism. For her, success required a special combination of hard work, masked ambition, and proper womanly behavior.

No Place for a Woman is the first biography to analyze Smith's life and times by using politics and gender as the lens through which we can understand her impact on American politics and American women.

This is not solely about logging in Maine but includes Vermont and NH too and it was a wonderful book.

by Robert E. Pike

Maine and NH are two of my favourite US states and I bought this book in a little bookshop in Bangor if I recall.

It's a great collection of stories of the men - the loggers - and how they lived working in this once important and dangerous industry. The the logging drives down rivers and how they shifted this immense weight of wood in harsh mountainous country was riveting.

Mine too Geevee and maybe because in some ways they remind me and possibly you of the British Isles. Sounds like a great book. I guess you were visiting Acadia which is not that far from Bangor.

Bentley wrote: "Mine too Geevee and maybe because in some ways they remind me and possibly you of the British Isles. Sounds like a great book. I guess you were visiting Acadia which is not that far from Bangor."

Yes Bentley we were - Acadia is such a lovely place. I've stayed in the White Mountains a few times too as the walks are great there as well.

The countryside air feels so clean and fresh and there is much history too be it social, industrial and political.

Very very true Geevee and I love the smell of Maine - the pine tree street. Wonderful scent.

Acadia is really a special place.

Maine: The Pine Tree State

by Deborah H. Deford (no photo)

Synopsis:

The 52-volume World Almanac Library of the States is the most up-to-date state set available, and it's the one "School Library Journal calls "more complete" than its competitors. In addition to an in-depth factual profile of each state, every book offers fascinating and lively discussions of the state's history, people, geography, government, economy, culture, and lifestyles. Each title also includes a section on "Notable People," a calendar of events, full-color photos, maps, charts, graphs, time lines and other tools to make this unquestionably the best young adult reference set available.

Strange Maine: True Tales from the Pine Tree State

by Michelle Y. Souliere (no photo)

Synopsis:

Maine is well known as a land of fresh air and clean water, as the home of L.L. Bean and as one of the most popular camping and outdoor recreation destinations in the country. But what lies behind this idyllic façade? Freaks. Weirdos. Unmapped roads. Whispering rocks. Deadening fog. Ghost pirates. Lonely islands. THINGS in the woods. This is the great state of Maine, home of Stephen King, land of the Great Northern Woods and all the mystery that lies within their dark footprint. What better setting than this for tales of strange creatures, murderers, madmen and eccentric hermits? From the "Headless Halloween of 1940" to Colonel Buck s curse, from Bigfoot sightings to the "witch's grave" in a Portland cemetery, writer and illustrator Michelle Souliere brings to life these strange-but-true tales from the Pine Tree State.

Thanks Teri

Excellent post

Great job on all of these threads

Love the state of Maine - thanks Teri

Thank you for all of the adds.

Thank you for all of your hard work Teri on the state threads

Native Plants for Your Maine Garden

by Maureen Heffernan (no photo)

Synopsis:

There are several good reasons why savvy gardeners cherish native plants in their landscapes.

In this book, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens executive director Maureen Heffernan provides information and inspiration for gardeners about how to choose the best plants for a variety of locations and provides tips on how to cope with challenging conditions.

Heffernan discusses flowering perennials, foliage plants, grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and trees, and she provides sample garden plans designed by experts.