Simplicity born of need and appreciation        Rating:

First, let me say that I am in awe of this woman. The book is a wonderful view into her life in the Adirondacks in a simple cabin she built herself (with some help) and her appreciation of the world she immersed herself in. Personally, I felt like someone else on this planet understood me and my love of my small farm. I never knew wind sounds made through trees was different, be it spruce, maple, oak, etc. She makes you want to listen, to watch, to understand nature at it finest and to respect it at it's extremes. A sensible woman on many levels. It is a must read for any one who loves nature. I hear she is now in a nursing home and has dementia. Such a shame that she has lost some of her brilliance. I am so pleased she shared it with us in her book (three books actually) while she could.

Icon to independent, rustic living for Women!!!!        Rating:

I have re-read the first of the trilogy annually for several years. Finally got around to purchasing the 2nd and 3rd and ready to read. An inspiration to women and their struggle for independence, respect, and solitude. Love these books and feel all women should have them in their library.

A fantastic account of a happy life.        Rating:

Anne LaBastille Makes you smell the woods feel the snow and hear the wildlife. A great read.

not a bad read        Rating:

A nice little story of a woman building a little cabin in the Adirondacks after her divorce. It wasn't quite as radical for her as for some, she had been logging, resort operating, and lots of pretty strenuous outdoor living in the Adirondacks for a while. The story is interesting and the author isn't shy about sharing a least some of her personal life and conflicts- although I'd hardly call it indiscreet.

The best parts are the simple moments. Bird watching with her dog, being caught in a storm, breaking up the ice for drinking water. The remoteness and isolation should probably be the strong suit for a book like this, but that was the part that missed for me. It's not that her place wouldn't be hard to get to without a boat or snowmobile,and it's probably as removed as one is likely to get in the U.S. east of the Mississippi- I guess I was just hoping for more. The area actually becomes a bit , of a resort in the summer and that takes away some of the magic. Plus she seems to head off to other places for pretty good chunks of time to work on her doctorate, and that kind of breaks the spell.

Looked at another way, however, as the effort of a woman to remake her life by becoming independent without becoming bitter, and with the Adirondacks as the backdrop to a more universal story, the story like the author- finds its way. I had the author pegged as probably being either aqngry feminist or at best one of those hardened "one of the boys" backcounty women- but she's not really either. One reviewer described her as wilderness Barbie doll- but she still seemed pretty tough to me- it's just that she managed to stay a woman while doing things not many men, much less women, do. Again, strong as a personal story with the beauty of the Adirondacks giving it style. I enjoyed it a lot, but it still left me a little unsatisfied.

Live a rustic life vicariously -- a good read        Rating:

This book surprised me with how enjoyable a read it was. I enjoy the outdoors and camp several times a year but have had no burning desire to have a log cabin, or visit the Adirondacks, until reading this book. She knew what she wanted, made it happen and did an incredible amount of the hard labor herself. Have also read the subsequent volumes.

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