Truss This Book Where Water Meets Land: Historic Moveable Bridges of Connecticut By Bruce Clouette You won't be surprised to learn that I live in this weird world of Connecticut miscellanea. After all, that's all CTMQ is, really. As a result, I've met lots of people with deep interest in Connecticut... stuff. … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Devil’s Rooming House
Okay, it was Hot in 1911 The Devil's Rooming House By M. William Phelps This story is absolutely fascinating and the research effort put into it was certainly impressive. But I must be missing something here, because this book - by a prolific author mind you - is rather terrible. An utter slog to get … [Read more...]
Book Review: Wicked Hartford
Dude. Wicked Good. Wicked Hartford, Steve Thornton Borrowed from the library I tend to approach most books on Connecticut travel and culture quite cynically. At least the travel bit. Sorry, but if I can be honest for a moment, I’ve been to all those places and have also written about them. It’s that “been to all … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Brittle Thread of Life
The Brittle Thread of Life: Backcountry People Make a Place for Themselves in Early America By Mark Williams Many years after reading this book, I had the chance to meet the author Williams at the then newly opened Wilcox House and Barn Museum. When I began putting together the CTMQ Town Guides in late 2016, I … [Read more...]
Book Review: Connecticut Lore & More Connecticut Lore
This page contains the rare double book review. Tales to Tell Connecticut Lore By Zachary Lamothe 2013 I have this weird habit of reading lots of books about stuff in Connecticut. Sure, this makes sense on the surface. Heck, when I started out with this website, these types of guides and books were invaluable … [Read more...]
Book Review: Smoke, Fire, and Angels
Avon Mountain is No Joke Smoke, Fire and Angels by Mark Robinson (2009) After three years of writing this blog, it's time for a blatant advertisement. [2016 Update: I now have unobtrusive ads.] Please, visit this website and buy the book. And here's the thing: The author, Mark Robinson, won't get a dime of … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Wordy Shipmates
The Only Puritanical Hooker I Know The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell (2008) West Hartford Library I love Sarah Vowell and while her "Assassination Vacation" is a little bit more entertaining, it has nothing to do with Connecticut. The Wordy Shipmates, however, has much for CTMQ fans to devour. Vowell dissects … [Read more...]
Book Review: How the States Got Their Shapes
How the States Got Their Shapes by Mark Stein In case you were wondering, I’m a map geek. I’ve mentioned it all over the place on CTMQ and I make no secret of it. (I’m not alone mind you, and I’m not the most afflicted… Trust me.) But I am bad enough that I asked for this book for Christmas and read it in short … [Read more...]