Rating: 
Summary: Crass Comercial Conceptualization!
Review: Totally misleasding.I have visted the Bluegrassed Commonwealth many times. As the many other reviewers attest, this is a skewed and slanted presentation of limited facts. Different people make different outcomes of their given circumstances. In this book (as in the companion public shock flick), there seems to be an attempt to capitalize on public ignorance about the Thouroughbred Capital of the World. Granted, there is some rough living here and there, but it is a good and rich life for anyone who dives into this fertile and unspoiled environment if they will apply themselves thereto. I would suggest that there is always some Royal Bleeding Fool in any royal court. I am a pencil-necked bean-counting geek, but strap a camera and an HBO expense account on my back, and I would bring back a much clearer, relevant, and meaningful story. Of all the stories that could describe the human spirit to excel and inspire others, HBO sunk down to this. This is a simple case of throwing the truth out the window for the sake of ratings. Granted, there has been exploitation and subserviance of the human spirit for natural resources. Perhaps multiple generations have suffered at the hands of rich lawmakers who stole the lands and mineral rights from the people. This story can be found in any culture, and like any story of evolvement, these downtrodden produced heroes who took back the homestead from the oppressors. Jerry Springer audiences would love this. Morally superiour carpetbaggers would love this. Lovers of truth and humanity will hate every minute of this underscoring of the worst that we could ever be as a human society. P.S. I only wish Amazon provided the option of a negative rating.
Rating:
Summary: Crass Comercial Conceptualization!
Review: Totally misleasding. I have visted the Bluegrassed Commonwealth many times. As the many other reviewers attest, this is a skewed and slanted presentation of limited facts. Different people make different outcomes of their given circumstances. In this book (as in the companion public shock flick), there seems to be an attempt to capitalize on public ignorance about the Thouroughbred Capital of the World. Granted, there is some rough living here and there, but it is a good and rich life for anyone who dives into this fertile and unspoiled environment if they will apply themselves thereto. I would suggest that there is always some Royal Bleeding Fool in any royal court. I am a pencil-necked bean-counting geek, but strap a camera and an HBO expense account on my back, and I would bring back a much clearer, relevant, and meaningful story. Of all the stories that could describe the human spirit to excel and inspire others, HBO sunk down to this. This is a simple case of throwing the truth out the window for the sake of ratings. Granted, there has been exploitation and subserviance of the human spirit for natural resources. Perhaps multiple generations have suffered at the hands of rich lawmakers who stole the lands and mineral rights from the people. This story can be found in any culture, and like any story of evolvement, these downtrodden produced heroes who took back the homestead from the oppressors. Jerry Springer audiences would love this. Morally superiour carpetbaggers would love this. Lovers of truth and humanity will hate every minute of this underscoring of the worst that we could ever be as a human society. P.S. I only wish Amazon provided the option of a negative rating.
Rating: 
Summary: American Hollow
Review: Wanda Bowling, daughter-in-law of Iree & Bass Bowling, is my best friend. I love her dearly. I work with her every day at Mid South Electrics. I have stayed at her home, attended the annual homecoming & gotten to know & love many members of her family. This book is not condesending or sensationalized; it merely "tells it like it is." American Hollow describes the lifestyle of the Bowlings. Because I know & love these people, I think I am more qualified to say this than someone who has merely visited the Bluegrass Region.
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely accurate portrayal of the Bowlings
Review: Wanda Bowling, daughter-in-law of Iree & Bass Bowling, is my best friend. I love her dearly. I work with her every day at Mid South Electrics. I have stayed at her home, attended the annual homecoming & gotten to know & love many members of her family. This book is not condesending or sensationalized; it merely "tells it like it is." American Hollow describes the lifestyle of the Bowlings. Because I know & love these people, I think I am more qualified to say this than someone who has merely visited the Bluegrass Region.
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