St. Mary's County (Images of America: Maryland)

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Visual History
Review: I would like to HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in the history of Maryland. So often history is just dates and faceless names, but this book brings the people and places of St. Mary's County to life. The pictures are wonderful and capture the mood of a earlier more simple time. The captions are informative and well written. Linda Reno brings considerable expertise to this endeavor. Among her many roles, Linda heads up the Maryland GenWeb for St. Mary's County and has done so much to bring to life the history of St. Mary's County, the birthplace of Maryland. Linda has written extensively on the history of St. Mary's County and yet she always always has been ready to give freely of her time and knowledge. Where she finds the time I do not know!

My family has its roots in St. Mary's County and Linda has done us all proud. Buy this book and then just settle in and enjoy a wonderful view into an earlier period in our history. Thanks Linda for a wonderful book which I hope will allow more people to share in our proud Maryland heritage.

Rating:
Summary: My Ancestors Neck of the Woods
Review: Linda Reno, in her St. Mary's County, Images of America, has provided me a stroll through the home county of many of my ancestors. In her inimitable way, Linda has brought to life for me their homes their faces and their customs through her choice of pictures and reader friendly text. I couldn't stop reading it even when I came to the last page. I started all over again. It's destined to become a family treasure. I highly recommend it for it's sheer delight.

Rating:
Summary: St. Mary's County Remembered
Review: Once I started reading "Images of America - St. Mary's County", I could not put it down. It brought to life things and places I heard discussed by my elders when growing up there. It makes me proud to know the history of my birthplace, and you can be proud of the work you put into this book. I just ordered several more of the books for my family still living in St. Mary's County.

Rating:
Summary: Brings St. Mary's County to Life
Review: The pictures--all taken in the early 1900s--that were gathered for this wonderful book really bring old St. Mary's County to life. Linda's clear and concise captions are even more interesting. She not only identifies those in the old family photos, but also includes a brief genealogical sketch. The pictures of so many St. Mary's County locations, most of which no longer exist, allow us to "see" through the eyes of those who went before us. To be able to view, as well as read about, the churches, schools, barns, hotels and homes of the past give us a glimpse into the daily lives of the County's early 20th century residents.

I don't know of any other book that provides such a comprehensive pictorial history of St. Mary's County. It is obvious that Linda put her heart and soul into this project. She did a phenomenal job.

Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Slice of Southern History
Review: This book is filled with photos of "ordinary" & some extraordinary people. Many of the photos are formal poses but there are also everyday "work" photos. There are also pictures of places & a way of life that no longer exist. Not meant to be an exhaustive history of St. Mary's County; Ms. Reno gives details & explanations of places, people & events that make this a charming & painless history lesson based on facts rather than "current perspective". This book will be of interest to St. Mary's County devotees as well as someone who has merely "passed through". I bought 4 copies to give as gifts.

Rating:
Summary: Very thourough and comprehensive
Review: This book takes the reader out of time and space and into a realm of wonder. After growing up in St. Mary's County, it was astounding to see how much the mother county of Maryland has evolved through the centuries. The author, who I am proud to say is my aunt, has put together a collection of pictures that accurately represents the county in a way that makes it unique than any other county in the United States. Once the reader picks it up he or she will not be able to put it down, it is truly captivating.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: This is an amazing book to have if you are from the area. The pictures are beautiful and offer an amazing look into the County, the people of the area and it's history. You will definitely not regret this purchase and it is a treasure to have. Thank you Linda. -Heather