In "Adirondack Proud," the author brings to life her ancestors, who emigrated from Scotland to the Adirondacks. In doing so, she tells their stories in a real authentic way, through meticuous research and historic details. Simultaneiously, Huntley paints a picture of the early days of many of our core Adirondack communities: places like Long Lake, Newcomb, and Tupper Lake. The narrative resonates with anyone who has longstanding ties to the region, I feel like she could just as easily be telling the story of my family, who came from Scotland through Canada to settle in Fine around this same period.
Melissa Hart, digital editor, Adirondack Explorer and Adirondack Almanac
"The history of the Central Adirondacks comes alive in these pages. Told by a descendant of the early settlers, the book is packed full of actual people and events that portray what life was like there in the nineteenth centruy. Travel back in time to the ealry days of Long Lake and newcomb as you turn the pages of "Adirondack Proud."
Pat Garber, Author, "Ocracoke Wild," & Heart Like a River."
A Powerful Life Story
April 20, 2012
Blunt Force Winds by Gail Huntley is the unique life story of someone who was born the third child of five to a dairy farmer in Canton, New York, and grew up to forge her own path. From the very beginning, she tackles life head-on; "Life was a challenge from the start, and I loved it because I always won."
When her family decides to move off of the farm that she loves, her life is changed irrevocably. She finds herself in a world that is filled with cruelty and danger, which she escapes from in the woods. The powerful scenes depicting her father's alcohol-fueled rage will undoubtedly move readers.
Her adulthood is equally turbulent. At 18, she loses her virginity to Kenneth, who tells her that it is impossible to get pregnant the very first time; a few months later, she finds herself pregnant and married to him.
After her son, Ricky, witnesses Kenneth choking her, she vows "that this little boy would never witness such violence again." Her second husband, Stewart, has a temper as vitriolic as her father and her first husband and she soon finds herself in a similar situation, facing death. She must confront mortality, sobriety, and sanity guided only by "The Voice."
Despite the adversity that she has faced throughout her life, Gail Huntley remains positive; "Each day is the beginning of a new wonder. I jump out of bed, open the door, race down the steps and fly out the bee-lined path knowing I could be stung, living life to the fullest."
Blunt Force Winds takes readers on a journey through the author's life, the story of a survivor, whose willpower and determination helped her to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds time and again. This unique memoir will appeal to a broad range of readers with its inspirational message of triumph and survivorship.
- Amazon Review
Inspiring
April 25, 2012
No matter what life threw at Gail, against all odds, with the Lord and perseverance she was able to overcome and conquer. Very inspiring.
- Amazon Review
5.0 out of 5 stars Perseverance, May 17, 2012
By
Getagrip -
This review is from: Blunt Force Winds (Paperback)
Blunt Force Winds is a look into the turbulent and passionate life of Gail Huntley. From her early childhood, growing up on a farm and then in the Adirondack Mountains in NY state, up to the present. The book is a shining example of how one person can endure so many issues in life to include addiction, physical and mental abuse and family problems and still persevere and make her life a success. I applaud Gail for reaching out and sharing her life story to show others that no matter what the obstacle you can turn things around, be successful and be happy.
- Amazon Review
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great Inspiring Book!, May 20, 2012
By
Lisa's Bookshelf -
This review is from: Blunt Force Winds (Paperback)
Not only was this a book about the inspiring author Gail Huntley, it kept me on the edge of my seat. During the reading of this book I felt sad, joyous, angry, and hopeful. This author brings about feelings in the reader. Great read!
- Amazon Review
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Blunt Force Winds, May 21, 2012
By
guy -
This review is from: Blunt Force Winds (Paperback)
One of the best books I've ever read...you have a great talent...hope your future is blessed with many more books
- Amazon Review
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5.0 out of 5 stars Blunt Force Winds by Gail Huntley, May 23, 2012
By LadyLake -
This review is from: Blunt Force Winds (Paperback)
This is a very readable story about one woman's journey from surviving to thriving. It carries the reader on several levels. It is a very involving fast read, is of fresh and insightful writing, and has more thoughtful and literate layering. It also contains some bits of interesting natural science and cultural history. Her writing is beautifully straightforward and sometimes brings juxtapositions in thought to a refreshing sit-right-up clarity. There is a presence throughout this book of the beautiful, steadily nurturing, and safely consistent backdrop of natural world rhythms and natural loves - this is starkly contrasted with a progression of happenings, blind spots, bindings, people's machinations and self-propulsion, building to a chaos breaking point. Like a fast paced spinning mosaic mirrored ball compounding ever increasing dark and light life experience, in growing dark measure, she comes to an inevitable do or die choice point; she shifts toward freedom. She moves into a life of sanity, reliable substance, creatively living in meaningful relationship with others and her understanding of a higher power. The fullness of life she had so sought is finally and broadly realized in this last quarter of the book. Essentially, this story provides a dramatic rendering of the life of a woman discovering and facing truths and untruths, surviving and then finding so much more. Good book.
- Amazon Review
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Conquering the Wild
ByLinda Kilbournon January 12, 2014
Format: Paperback A Complete Joy to Read
I totally enjoyed reading this book. Having ancestors who were some of the first settlers in Long Lake, Abram Rice was my Great, Great Grandfather, I was especially excited to read it. I loved the way the book was written in chronological order of the families who settled there. Having a love for Long Lake I could visualize the settlers traveling the trails and paddling the lake. I think anyone who has a love for Long Lake or the history of the Adirondacks would love this book. I look forward to Book #2 with the continuation of the history of Long Lake.
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BySusan Frazee on March 4, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Abram rice is also one of my ancestors. I was so pleased to get a glimpse of early NY life, and the life of an ancestor. Thank you!
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Long Lake, Adirondack Heartland
ByBlacktoperon July 21, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed the details of the area and the "homespun"
tales of the families that lived there.
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By Amazon Customer on December 3, 2016
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Wonderful book full of great sotries, pictures and information, camping
on Long Lake and wanted to know about the storms, the camps,
the other history. This had it.
Amazon Review: Five Stars
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