Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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4 stars
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100 reviews
July 14,2025
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White brings us back to those simpler times when the days seemed to pass at a slower pace.

It's truly a remarkable bedside book. Whenever you find yourself feeling down, just pick it up. White has this wonderful ability to take your mind completely off your troubles and bring a smile to your face. He did exactly that for me.

In today's fast-paced and often chaotic world, we need more of E.B. White's gentle wisdom and charm. His words have the power to soothe our souls and remind us of the beauty and simplicity that exists in life.

Whether you're reading his stories for the first time or revisiting them, you're sure to be captivated by his unique writing style and the warmth that emanates from his pages.

So, the next time you're in need of a little pick-me-up, reach for that copy of E.B. White's work and let his words work their magic.
July 14,2025
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This collection contains "Sabbath Morn," which is my favorite among the numerous White pieces that I have read.

I have never witnessed religious skepticism being expressed so gently, humanely, wittily, and artfully. In fact, I might even assert that it is nostalgic for a particular style of religious service. This style was commonly broadcast over the radio from many churches on Sunday mornings during times that have mostly passed by.

As is characteristic of White, this piece is nostalgic about a great many things. It seems to look back with a sense of longing and warmth at the traditions and practices of the past. The gentle humor and the artful way in which the religious skepticism is presented add to the overall charm of the piece. It makes the reader reflect on the role of religion in our lives and how our perceptions of it have changed over time.

Overall, "Sabbath Morn" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that showcases White's unique writing style and his ability to capture the essence of a bygone era.
July 14,2025
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July 14,2025
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This collection of essays, penned from 1938 to 1943, transports the reader to a non-digital era.

Back then, the future was a matter of great concern, to say the least. It's difficult to recall now that Americans had no certainty that the Allies would emerge victorious in World War II.

Although this isn't the central focus of any of these essays, it serves as an underlying theme. White's writing is spare yet vivid, making it a pleasure to pick up this book, read a few pages, and then set it aside with the anticipation of returning to it soon.

Currently, many people are drawn to fiction set in WWII. They might find this contemporary portrayal of life in coastal Maine during that time both engaging and enjoyable.

It offers a unique perspective on a bygone era and provides valuable insights into the minds and experiences of those who lived through it.
July 14,2025
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At first, when I saw that it was in small print, extremely thick and not merely "notes from the farm" as I had anticipated, I was a little appalled. I had been expecting a sort of newsletter regarding farm life in Brooklin, Maine. However, no, they were essays, and rather dense at that. I couldn't simply breeze through them. So, after reading about 13, I put it away.

But then I obtained my own copy and placed it in the bathroom. (Sorry if that's too much information.) Well, that worked out perfectly. About one essay or newsletter about the farm and other topics a day, and oh how I relished it! I kept a pen nearby and underlined and turned down pages, and saved "stories" for my mother or my husband, and wow. EB White can write! No wonder his Elements of Style is so renowned. He is an intelligent and humorous man. And I adored seeing what it was like in Brooklin, Maine during WWII. I resided in Brooklin for a few months in the 70s and then visited frequently. I have toured the outbuildings of EB's farm. A friend of mine was the caretaker for the new people after EB White passed away. So it was truly personal. E B White was something else!

July 14,2025
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I had some comments that were saved in the audio version of the book, but unfortunately, I no longer have access to them. Oh well.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the book. Each chapter is derived from a journal article and was written over a period of a few years.

The author had very interesting commentary on larger world matters such as the war with Germany and the beginnings of social security. However, he also delved into mundane things related to running a farm.

Interestingly, there are elements of Charlotte’s Web that were developed from White’s experience with farming. It’s fascinating to see how his real-life experiences influenced his fictional works.

Overall, despite the loss of my saved comments, I still found the book to be an engaging and thought-provoking read. It provided a unique perspective on both historical events and the day-to-day life of a farmer.
July 14,2025
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This was a truly excellent audio.

My husband and I had the pleasure of listening to it during our travels.

Living on the coast of Maine, we could strongly relate to numerous aspects mentioned in it.

Moreover, our love for EB White made the experience of listening to it even more remarkable.

I suppose he was a sort of remote worker generations ago.

It was fascinating to read his perspectives on the war, especially when we already knew the outcome.

I absolutely adored his farm, with its chickens and his wonderful family.

All in all, it was quite a lovely book that left a lasting impression on us.

We will surely cherish the memories of listening to it during our travels and will recommend it to others.

July 14,2025
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Somewhere I’ve heard it said that a good writer can write about anything and make it interesting. E. B. White is such a writer, a truly remarkable one. He does, at times, seem to write about anything under the sun. Although most of the time he appears to write about nothing in particular, leaving me wondering why on earth I am reading his work. Couldn't I be spending my time more productively? For instance, taking my car over to the mechanic and watching him rotate my tires or finally getting around to cleaning out that cluttered storage space under the stairs.

However, I must admit that perhaps this perception of "nothing" that I get from One Man’s Meat could be due to the era in which it was written. It was a simpler time, for sure. And since this kind of simplicity irks me, I should be more understanding of the time period and the author himself. Yet, I do try to abide by the rule of not reading anything older than fifty years old. The language, the subject matter, and the fact that I can't understand a word unless it's written in current slang all have a significant impact on my attention span. Maybe in this case, it has more to do with the fact that E. B. White seems to embrace a certain tongue-in-cheek, understated humor that is as dry as dust and twice as boring.

I knew I was in trouble from the moment I saw the cover of the paperback edition I'd ordered from Amazon. The author, pictured at his writing desk – a simple, unadorned wooden affair, with a manual typewriter and a small wooden barrel serving as a trashcan – was emblazoned across the front. The image of him sitting there in that bleak, barren cabin, with its idyllic view of a lake – the water a dull, flat surface and forested hills in the distance on the opposite shore – sent shivers down my spine. The whole thing practically shouted "homespun country philosophy" – which I'm certain the publishers were using as a selling point for those who lap up this kind of thing. I, on the other hand, was left hoping that this was some sort of cruel joke. Then I turned a few pages and found chapters named "Coon Hunt" and "Aunt Poo".

Slowly, I rose from the chair in my living room and walked to the back door that leads to the porch where I keep my garbage cans. The black one is for regular garbage, and the blue one is for recyclables. I quickly opened the black can and unceremoniously tossed E. B. White in.
July 14,2025
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In my humble opinion, it seemed super graphomaniac and pretentious.

Perhaps one should refrain from judging too harshly, but I simply hadn't been able to finish it.

The first several (maybe 6 or 10?) chapters seemed rather off, lacking a certain coherence and charm.

And then, when I randomly picked other chapters, it didn't do much to change my initial impression.

It just wasn't my thing, I guess.

Maybe for some people, this kind of writing style and content might be appealing, but for me, it failed to capture my interest and hold my attention.

I found myself constantly losing focus and struggling to get through the pages.

It's a pity really, as there might have been some hidden gems within, but I just couldn't seem to find them.

Oh well, everyone has different tastes when it comes to reading, and this one just didn't align with mine.
July 14,2025
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I have always kept this remarkable book of gentle essays right on my bedside table.

Every night, before going to sleep, I would pick it up and read one or two of the essays.

It offers a fascinating peek into the life of a truly wonderful writer during the years from 1938 until 1943.

During this time, not only was he a talented writer, but he was also a hardworking farmer.

The book beautifully captures the essence of his daily life, his thoughts, his joys, and his challenges.

It is a literary gem that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Whether you are a lover of literature or simply looking for a peaceful and inspiring read before bed, this book is sure to delight and touch your heart.

I wholeheartedly encourage you to give it a try and discover the magic within its pages.

July 14,2025
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Here is a substantial amount of truly outstanding writing.

Most of the content that you come across nowadays simply fades into insignificance when compared to these beautifully lyrical and deeply thoughtful essays.

Their quality is such that this collection should undoubtedly be considered as required reading.

Each essay within this compilation offers a unique perspective, a wealth of emotions, and a depth of understanding that is truly captivating.

The words seem to dance off the page, engaging the reader's mind and heart.

Whether you are an avid reader or simply someone looking for a moment of inspiration, these essays are sure to leave a lasting impression.

It is rare to find such a collection of writing that is both so engaging and so profound.

Do not miss out on the opportunity to explore this remarkable body of work.

July 14,2025
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While I'm not quite old enough to recall the era White is writing about, I did indeed grow up in the shadow of World War II during the 1950s and 1960s. In rural New England where we resided, many aspects had remained relatively unchanged, especially when it came to the farmers. A remarkable portion of what White states in his essays within this book is timeless, or at least still holds true today. For instance, “The farm as a way of life has been subordinated to the farm as a device for making money.” After the 1960s, this was particularly the case in New England, and now it has become one of the major sustainability issues we confront nationally.

Personally, a significant positive aspect of One Man’s Meat is the regular appearances of his dachshunds. I'm not certain how I arrived at my current stance, as I wasn't in favor of getting one about 10 years ago when my wife announced her intention to do so. I had been devoted to black Labs for years. I enjoy walking and mountain biking on the numerous trails around our home, and the Labs were excellent hiking and biking companions. I didn't envision a dachshund fulfilling that role. However, the little wiener dog possesses a completely different set of characteristics that make it difficult not to like her. And after several years of going solo on the trails, I discovered that the dachshund can cover miles. She's largely untrainable, so I have to keep her on a retractable lead or she'd get lost chasing scents. White accurately hits that dachshund trait, just as he does with so many other things.
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