Spencer's Mountain: The Family that Inspired the TV Series The Waltons Paperback – January 18, 2022

This poignant narrative offers a compelling glimpse into the resilience of a family navigating extraordinary challenges, ultimately triumphing through their unwavering love and connection. The story's emotional depth and inspiring conclusion resonate powerfully, revealing the remarkable strength of human spirit in the face of adversity.

After watching the Waltons for most of my life. The names in the book really threw me off. Had to stop several time just to remember who was the person. But the book was really good. Definitely would recommend someone to read.

1st off, I LOVED the story! Finally got time yesterday to read it & it's just a sweet story that kind of is timeless! But, as a review of the book itself & to the manufacturers, the only thing I have to say, and why I took off a star, was the EDITING! Not sure who you hired, but they are NOT good at their job! There were a bunch of mistakes: repeated lines, words missing letters, skipped lines, etc...which is NOT good! If you pay for something, you expect to get it RIGHT! Just thought someone should say so!

If you are fan of the 70s and 80s TV show the Waltons this book shows you where a lot of the stories were developed. I've enjoyed it.

This is a genuine classic. I read it once as a teenager now, at the age of 81, I still feel the magic Hamner built around an ordinary life touched by the majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, building a boy into a man. It still brings tears to my eyes and hope in my heart that everyone who dreams can reach those dreams if he tries.

I love the book, Spencer's Mountain. It follows along quite a lot like the made for TV series. It is a little hard to read b/c of the tell tale southern accents/slang, but I loved it. Earl Hanmer did a great job on this book. A great depiction of what a wonderful life he and his huge, loving family had back then. When you were poor and didn't even know it, that is living! No complaints, just get 'er done kind of plain-folk attitude. After seeing the movie, reading the book and watching the TV series, I am left with a burning question though. Was the Dad (Clay/John) really a happy drinker or was he more like the TV series Dad (John) and not so much a drinker? A good book always leaves you wanting to know more...this is a good book!!!

I've been looking for "Spencer's Mountain" (at a reasonable price) forever, having seen the movie (with Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara, and James MacArthur) several times. Now that I've read the book, I can see the movie was surprisingly loyal to it, with changes primarily to location (movie was Wyoming Tetons, book Virginia Appalachians) and time period (movie was 1950-60's, book 1930's)."Spencer's Mountain" is the story of a rural Virginia family - rich in core values but poor in actual cash - and their efforts to get see that the oldest child is able to attend college during the 1930's depression. Although the boy has the desire, the abilities and the drive, the funds are the key sticking point. Father Clay Spencer is determined to see that all his children do better than he did, not just by completing high school but perhaps even going farther. Clay is bigger than life, and his sayings, stories, curses and habits fill the book, but his oldest son's dreams permeate every quiet moment, and lay the groundwork for the family future.This was Earl Hamner's second novel, which he based on his own childhood in Schuyler, Virginia; he named the novel after his paternal grandmother Susan Henry Spencer Hamner. This book also provided the basis for "The Waltons" (named after another family member), although adult themes were sanitized for the television hour. Towards that end, I should mention that Clay Spencer is forthright in the book about his trouble with organized religion of any kind, and that his oldest son Clay Spencer Jr. is taught about intimacy by his father while watching a cow and a bull, and has an undescribed intimate encounter with his girlfriend.The book was easy, almost Scholastic Book Club level, reading, but I believe that is due in part to the simple values and messages conveyed. I had hoped there was more story than what the movie showed. But if I had read the book first, I would have loved the movie even more for being so loyal. A kind book, with heart, about a hardworking family during the depression.

This was a very interesting read on the life of the Spencer family. I think the movie based on this book is very close in many ways. I enjoyed reading it.