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Rating: 
Summary: A true classic
Review: I first read Jesse Stuart 30 years ago in high school. I remember giving an oral book report to my English teacher and expressing surprise that rural Kentucky teachers continued to teach even when they were not receiving their pay. I remember my teacher telling me-- in all sincerity-- that she would do the same thing. Wow. I never looked at teaching the same way again!
The only reason I give this book 4 instead of 5 stars is that I wish Stuart had delved more deeply into the characters in the beginning of the book. There was certainly enough material there for an entire book by itself-- then Stuart could have used his years as a high school principal for a second book.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic book on teaching
Review: I first read this book in jr. high and it has always stayed in
my mind. Probably the most important part of Stuart's autobiography is when he finds the key to teaching--make it play, not work. When he realized this, he had very few problems with his students--and these were kids from the hills who were
having such fun at school they would walk there barefoot, or in
the winter. Anyone who wants to be a teacher--or is even mildly
interested in teaching--should read this extraordinary book.
Rating:
Summary: A Book That Reads So True
Review: I first read this book when I was in the ninth grade, and it, more than any other book I ever read, inspired me to become a teacher. This book has (I believe) been in print without interruption since it was originally published in the 1940s. I myself have bought so many copies that I have lost count, replacing copies borrowed by students and never returned. Although the world that Stuart wrote about, rural Kentucky in the 1920s and 1930s, has pretty much vanished, the book, in its passion for the good of education, in its compassion for both students and teachers, feels utterly contemporary. The stories of Stuart's experiences as teacher and administrator speak to our needs, even though most of us will never have to ride horseback to school or beat a student senseless to earn classroom control or be beaten ourselves by ignorant opponents of out views. But in our different world it is good to be reminded of the power of the teacher-student bond, a bond that will not soon be eliminated by distance education. Teachers who know how to make a class come alive, how to bring learning to life, are as important today as they were sixty years ago, or indeed 600. Inspirational, insightful, theoretical, this book is all, but it has also one more virtue: the prose is a bit breathy, but Stuart really knew how to tell a story!
Rating:
Summary: A Book That Reads So True
Review: I first read this book when I was in the ninth grade, and it, more than any other book I ever read, inspired me to become a teacher. This book has (I believe) been in print without interruption since it was originally published in the 1940s. I myself have bought so many copies that I have lost count, replacing copies borrowed by students and never returned. Although the world that Stuart wrote about, rural Kentucky in the 1920s and 1930s, has pretty much vanished, the book, in its passion for the good of education, in its compassion for both students and teachers, feels utterly contemporary. The stories of Stuart's experiences as teacher and administrator speak to our needs, even though most of us will never have to ride horseback to school or beat a student senseless to earn classroom control or be beaten ourselves by ignorant opponents of out views. But in our different world it is good to be reminded of the power of the teacher-student bond, a bond that will not soon be eliminated by distance education. Teachers who know how to make a class come alive, how to bring learning to life, are as important today as they were sixty years ago, or indeed 600. Inspirational, insightful, theoretical, this book is all, but it has also one more virtue: the prose is a bit breathy, but Stuart really knew how to tell a story!
Rating:
Summary: The Thread That inspires lives
Review: I read this book while preparing to do the play based from it, and I must say that it is an amazing piece of literature..... each student in the book is so lifelike that when it came time for my friend and I to play the parts of Guy Hawkins and Vaida Conway, we knew just what to do. It is a heartwarming tale....... Jesse has so many experiences with so many people in the book that it makes the story easy to follw and believable..... I would recommend this book to anyone!
Rating: 
Summary: Dissenting Opinion
Review: Stuart's autobiographical tale of milestones and millstones as he grows in the teaching profession is, in its substance, most inspiring. Sadly, however, the narrative itself causes one to wonder where he learned composition. He writes with a shotgun rather than a rifle. His thoughts come in tiny, discrete,chunks which almost always stand fiercely alone amid the adjacent chunks. It's not chopped liver, but it most certainly is chopped syntax. I struggled to read this inspiring story which should have been a pleasure to read.
Rating:
Summary: First edition signed!
Review: The Thread That Runs So True was a marvelously written autobiography with much meaning. Jesse Stuart wonderfully depicted his life as a school teacher. Somewhat near the beginning of the book, the written meaning of the title is revealed when Stuart is singing a song containing the words. The thread that runs so true is play, which is emphasized throughout the book. Yet, there is a more meaningful lesson taught. Contextually, it is evident that the thread is also the teaching profession itself. Stuart's thread would most likely be the country life. After being a successful teacher and administrator, traveling abroad, and numerous other ventures, he returns to his Kentucky home and farms sheep. This is fantastic for almost any audience, students, teachers, and those who were once either or both. It is filled with unbelievable experiences from Stuart physically fighting his students to him being shot at for dating a particular lady. In the case of good fiction, you must remind yourself that the events didn't actually happen. In reading this book, I learned that with the most interesting non-fiction, you must realize that the events actually did occur.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable Autobiography
Review: The Thread That Runs So True was a marvelously written autobiography with much meaning. Jesse Stuart wonderfully depicted his life as a school teacher. Somewhat near the beginning of the book, the written meaning of the title is revealed when Stuart is singing a song containing the words. The thread that runs so true is play, which is emphasized throughout the book. Yet, there is a more meaningful lesson taught. Contextually, it is evident that the thread is also the teaching profession itself. Stuart's thread would most likely be the country life. After being a successful teacher and administrator, traveling abroad, and numerous other ventures, he returns to his Kentucky home and farms sheep. This is fantastic for almost any audience, students, teachers, and those who were once either or both. It is filled with unbelievable experiences from Stuart physically fighting his students to him being shot at for dating a particular lady. In the case of good fiction, you must remind yourself that the events didn't actually happen. In reading this book, I learned that with the most interesting non-fiction, you must realize that the events actually did occur.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: This is the autobiography of a school teacher in Northern Kentucky, he comes across different obstacles some of those 2 churchs that have divided the county almost like opposing armies, violent students and many other problems. Be he still runs a successful country school. "The Needles Eye That Does Supply'
"The Thread That Runs So True!"
Rating:
Summary: This is what teaching is all about
Review: This is the best book I have read about teaching. It is inspirational as well as entertaining. . Jesse Stuart knew how to teach children in such a way that they wanted to learn. His approach to education was one of making learning practical as well as fun. He also instilled in them a pride for themselves and for their school. The Thread That Runs So True should be required reading for every teacher education program in the United States.
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