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Summary: A classic story of love, honor and courage
Review: I first read "The Valley of Decision" as a teenager, and find great comfort in it as an adult. I have reread it many times, not only for its "human" story, but for the sense of history it conveys. The sense of history in the book is strong, but the characters are even stronger. So many of the characters remind me of my ancestors, so each reading of the book is a delight.
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Summary: I have read this book off and on for 25 years
Review: I first read The Valley of Decision when I was about 13 years old. It spoke so vividly to me that I feel as if the characters are real people. The historical material sems to be very accurate, but Davenport's portrayal of the principal characters is what keeps me reading and rereading this book. It probably sounds corny, but I think that the values of honor and integrity expressed in the book were really influential to an impressionable teenage girl. My sons will definitely read this book when they are old enough, and I recommend it to all my friends who have teenage daughters.
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Summary: Still an amazing book - 30 years on!
Review: I first read this as a teenager (I'm now 50) and re-read it several times before I lost it sometime in my twenties. For years I tried to find it in second hand shops, or to order it from book shops, all to no avail. So I was not overly hopeful when I typed the title and author into Amazon's search engine - and was amazed and very excited when I got a picture of it in front of me within ten seconds! I had it in my hands just a week later and after all those years of thinking about it, was finally able to read it again. And I wasn't disappointed at all - it was as majestical, magical, emotional, compulsive and wonderful as I remembered, even after a gap of nearly 30 years. It's such a touching tale, spans such a great historical era and has such truly memorable characters, it still ranks as one of my very favourite books of all time.
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Summary: simply incredible
Review: I found The Valley of Decision in a box of old books in a yard sale. I started to read it one evening when I was bored, not expecting much. Was I surprised. The writing is tight and clean. The plot has more twists than a pretzel. And the characters are so real and believable you'd think the book was a biography rather than fiction.
This is the story of 3 generations and spans the time from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of WWII. It is the story of extreme wealth and utter poverty. It is the story of morals and pride and what happens when the two collide.
I was so impressed with the book that I came here in the faint hope that I could find other books by Marcia Davenport. I will be definitely increasing my Davenport library. I even found on the web that this book was made into a movie in 1945.
Well worth reading.
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Summary: Still amazing
Review: I just bought my third copy of this amazing book. I first read it nearly 30 years ago, when it had been re-released in paperback, and had the presence of mind to buy a second copy. One copy is now gone, and one is in tatters. This is a book to which I return when I need my spine stiffened and my resolve strengthened. It makes me laugh, it makes me cry, and it makes me think. The people in this book are as real to me as if I had met them in person instead of in Ms. Davenport's words, and I constantly return to visit them, finding new and interesting aspects of each character each time. I am grateful for Marcia Davenport's presence in my life, and grateful that I found another copy of one of my all time favorite reads!
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Summary: A Truly Amazing and Well Written Book
Review: I recently had back surgery and was going out of my mind with boredom when my mom insisted I read a book that had brought her much happiness in her teens. Ever since I picked up The Valley of Decision, I cannot stop insisting that everyone I know read it. Ms. Davenport made the characters come alive; They are real people whose lives I cried over, laughed at, was upset for and rejoiced with. It has been a long time since I felt as much a part of a book - probably since reading the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis in my childhood.Reading this book has been one of the better things I've ever done for myself. I HIGHLY recommend it to all.
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Summary: A Truly Amazing and Well Written Book
Review: I recently had back surgery and was going out of my mind with boredom when my mom insisted I read a book that had brought her much happiness in her teens. Ever since I picked up The Valley of Decision, I cannot stop insisting that everyone I know read it. Ms. Davenport made the characters come alive; They are real people whose lives I cried over, laughed at, was upset for and rejoiced with. It has been a long time since I felt as much a part of a book - probably since reading the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis in my childhood. Reading this book has been one of the better things I've ever done for myself. I HIGHLY recommend it to all.
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Summary: I have read this book off and on for 25 years
Review: This is the best book I have ever read on the background of the Steel City. Being a native of the area I found it to be an accurate and fascinating read on the area. To me the storyline of the maid and the son of the steel mogul was very well done. I found I could not put it down and find I want to read this novel over and over again. I recommend it for anyone interested in the steel industry and pittsburgh in particular.
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Summary: best book on steel mill pittsburgh
Review: This is the best book I have ever read on the background of the Steel City. Being a native of the area I found it to be an accurate and fascinating read on the area. To me the storyline of the maid and the son of the steel mogul was very well done. I found I could not put it down and find I want to read this novel over and over again. I recommend it for anyone interested in the steel industry and pittsburgh in particular.
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Summary: Interesting, Historic and Enlightening
Review: Throughly enjoyed this book. We have all heard those who fail to learn history are bound to repeat it or something like that. I was amazed to read about these people and events and with slight changes, it could be current events instead of history. The problems with unions, immigration, war and family haven't changed much in over a half century. If this was never made into a movie, I would urge Tom Hanks or someone to read it. I could even picture the Hollywood production.
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