UPLIFTING AND GENUINE, 29 Oct 1998
It has been a long time since reading this book. It was one of the first books I ever read cover to cover. Tremendous coming of age book! Read the first time in college. It was given to me by my Fraternity Big Brother. We are KA's just as Porter elected to be. Wonderfully funny and would recommend others read!

Best coming of age book ever, 04 Sep 1998
Why schools still mandate that student plod through that old New England tale of Holden Caufield and his stuggles is beyond me. Sams writes a fresh energizing book devoid of the cynicism of Salinger. I'd rather my children experienced the joys and pains of Porter Osborne, Jr. Of course I have insisted they read the complete trilogy. However, it was something they wanted to do once started. Of the three Whisper is chronologically and artisyically the centerpiece. Our educational institutions should wake up and discover Porter and his journey to define himself

wonderfully poignant tale of college days in middle Georgia., 22 Aug 1998
It's been over 10 years since I first read the book. Recommended by a fellow (presbyterian) clergyman, I looked at the jacket of the book he was showing me only to be stunned to realize that it was about a boy who attended the same college I attended, in a state far away. Not only that, but in reading the book, I discovered that I'd resided for a time in the same dormitory room, albeit several decades past the late 1930's. The book was painfully and poignantly real, from the descriptions of life in that particular dormitory room (I can see the room and scenery outside the windows even to this day) to life in Macon (some of the stories and experiences he went through were almost eerily familiar). Ferrol Sams is an incredibly gifted writer who I wish had started writing years earlier. His corpus of books, though relatively small, are all treasures and treasured. BTW, having graduated years earlier then a previous reviewer, let me point out that "Willingham University" was taken from what was then Willingham Chapel, not "Auditorium". It was during the 1970's that the former baptist church next door to Willingham Chapel was sold to Mercer and became the Newton Chapel at Mercer. At that point, Willingham Chapel became Willingham Auditorium.

Best coming of age book from south of Boston, 25 Jul 1998
Sams book is the best coming of age book short of Catcher in the Rye. While it lack the raw cynicism of Salinger's classic, it puts forth, at least to me, a more shared experience. The entire trilogy needs to be read but this book is clearly the best. You'll laugh, cry, ache inside and change when you read this book.

"A humorous, wise account of a Southern boy's growin' up.", 02 Jun 1998
Sams' tale of Porter Osborne's road to maturity is nothing short of a Southern masterpiece. You will be enticed by the pranks and shortcomings that Porter brings to Willingham University as a younger adolescent and will be proud of Porter as he matures throughout his college days. The Whisper of the River is full of Southern flavor, yet universal, as it contains elements of relationships and society that make you think, philosophy and religion that make you wonder, and childhood and growing up that make you reflect. Whisper is a pleasure to read.

UPLIFTING AND GENUINE, 29 Oct 1998
It has been a long time since reading this book. It was one of the first books I ever read cover to cover. Tremendous coming of age book! Read the first time in college. It was given to me by my Fraternity Big Brother. We are KA's just as Porter elected to be. Wonderfully funny and would recommend others read!

Best coming of age book ever, 04 Sep 1998
Why schools still mandate that student plod through that old New England tale of Holden Caufield and his stuggles is beyond me. Sams writes a fresh energizing book devoid of the cynicism of Salinger. I'd rather my children experienced the joys and pains of Porter Osborne, Jr. Of course I have insisted they read the complete trilogy. However, it was something they wanted to do once started. Of the three Whisper is chronologically and artisyically the centerpiece. Our educational institutions should wake up and discover Porter and his journey to define himself

wonderfully poignant tale of college days in middle Georgia., 22 Aug 1998
It's been over 10 years since I first read the book. Recommended by a fellow (presbyterian) clergyman, I looked at the jacket of the book he was showing me only to be stunned to realize that it was about a boy who attended the same college I attended, in a state far away. Not only that, but in reading the book, I discovered that I'd resided for a time in the same dormitory room, albeit several decades past the late 1930's. The book was painfully and poignantly real, from the descriptions of life in that particular dormitory room (I can see the room and scenery outside the windows even to this day) to life in Macon (some of the stories and experiences he went through were almost eerily familiar). Ferrol Sams is an incredibly gifted writer who I wish had started writing years earlier. His corpus of books, though relatively small, are all treasures and treasured. BTW, having graduated years earlier then a previous reviewer, let me point out that "Willingham University" was taken from what was then Willingham Chapel, not "Auditorium". It was during the 1970's that the former baptist church next door to Willingham Chapel was sold to Mercer and became the Newton Chapel at Mercer. At that point, Willingham Chapel became Willingham Auditorium.

Best coming of age book from south of Boston, 25 Jul 1998
Sams book is the best coming of age book short of Catcher in the Rye. While it lack the raw cynicism of Salinger's classic, it puts forth, at least to me, a more shared experience. The entire trilogy needs to be read but this book is clearly the best. You'll laugh, cry, ache inside and change when you read this book.

"A humorous, wise account of a Southern boy's growin' up.", 02 Jun 1998
Sams' tale of Porter Osborne's road to maturity is nothing short of a Southern masterpiece. You will be enticed by the pranks and shortcomings that Porter brings to Willingham University as a younger adolescent and will be proud of Porter as he matures throughout his college days. The Whisper of the River is full of Southern flavor, yet universal, as it contains elements of relationships and society that make you think, philosophy and religion that make you wonder, and childhood and growing up that make you reflect. Whisper is a pleasure to read.

Best book I've read in a long time. I didn't want it to end, 26 Mar 1999
This is such a beautiful story. I loved all the characters, especially the young boy. You just feel so good as you read each chapter. Would make a perfect gift to anyone who loves to read.

An excellent and entertaining reading experience., 14 Feb 1999
An excellent and superbly written story. It feels like you're sitting on the porch listening to your dad tell stories of his childhood. The pictures come in your mind to illustrate the tales. You feel the experiences as the author spins his words into a beautiful tapestry of a life. I gave the trilogy to my brother-in-law a few years ago and was in deep trouble with my sister! She said she didn't mind the light on late at night but his giggling and laughing kept shaking the bed and waking her up!! Pass this great series on to anyone who likes a good, entertaining read!!

Coming of age in the rural South. Pathos to hilarity., 18 Nov 1998
A semi-autobiographical story of growing up in the rural South. It is difficult to put down with stories ranging from hilarious to pathos. Always inciteful and yet affectionate, it perfectly captures the rhythm of life in the rural South in a bygone era. Combines the elegant and earthy--literary and poetic references with distinctively Southern witticisms and crudities.

One Great book of a Great Trilogy, 18 Sep 1998
I recently recieved the Sams trilogy as a graduation gift and I have enjoyed them immensly. Despite starting medical school I have not been able to put the books down. I have read all of them in succession and would highly recommend them to anyone seeking a thoughtful and completely entertaining set of books.

Are there more books coming out?, 25 Apr 1998
I loved this book so much. I grew up in the south and this book, as well as the others in the series, gives me such a feeling of home. It is one of the best that I have read. Will there be another book in the series? I can't wait to read it.

UPLIFTING AND GENUINE, 29 Oct 1998
It has been a long time since reading this book. It was one of the first books I ever read cover to cover. Tremendous coming of age book! Read the first time in college. It was given to me by my Fraternity Big Brother. We are KA's just as Porter elected to be. Wonderfully funny and would recommend others read!

Best coming of age book ever, 04 Sep 1998
Why schools still mandate that student plod through that old New England tale of Holden Caufield and his stuggles is beyond me. Sams writes a fresh energizing book devoid of the cynicism of Salinger. I'd rather my children experienced the joys and pains of Porter Osborne, Jr. Of course I have insisted they read the complete trilogy. However, it was something they wanted to do once started. Of the three Whisper is chronologically and artisyically the centerpiece. Our educational institutions should wake up and discover Porter and his journey to define himself

wonderfully poignant tale of college days in middle Georgia., 22 Aug 1998
It's been over 10 years since I first read the book. Recommended by a fellow (presbyterian) clergyman, I looked at the jacket of the book he was showing me only to be stunned to realize that it was about a boy who attended the same college I attended, in a state far away. Not only that, but in reading the book, I discovered that I'd resided for a time in the same dormitory room, albeit several decades past the late 1930's. The book was painfully and poignantly real, from the descriptions of life in that particular dormitory room (I can see the room and scenery outside the windows even to this day) to life in Macon (some of the stories and experiences he went through were almost eerily familiar). Ferrol Sams is an incredibly gifted writer who I wish had started writing years earlier. His corpus of books, though relatively small, are all treasures and treasured. BTW, having graduated years earlier then a previous reviewer, let me point out that "Willingham University" was taken from what was then Willingham Chapel, not "Auditorium". It was during the 1970's that the former baptist church next door to Willingham Chapel was sold to Mercer and became the Newton Chapel at Mercer. At that point, Willingham Chapel became Willingham Auditorium.

Best coming of age book from south of Boston, 25 Jul 1998
Sams book is the best coming of age book short of Catcher in the Rye. While it lack the raw cynicism of Salinger's classic, it puts forth, at least to me, a more shared experience. The entire trilogy needs to be read but this book is clearly the best. You'll laugh, cry, ache inside and change when you read this book.

"A humorous, wise account of a Southern boy's growin' up.", 02 Jun 1998
Sams' tale of Porter Osborne's road to maturity is nothing short of a Southern masterpiece. You will be enticed by the pranks and shortcomings that Porter brings to Willingham University as a younger adolescent and will be proud of Porter as he matures throughout his college days. The Whisper of the River is full of Southern flavor, yet universal, as it contains elements of relationships and society that make you think, philosophy and religion that make you wonder, and childhood and growing up that make you reflect. Whisper is a pleasure to read.

Best book I've read in a long time. I didn't want it to end, 26 Mar 1999
This is such a beautiful story. I loved all the characters, especially the young boy. You just feel so good as you read each chapter. Would make a perfect gift to anyone who loves to read.

An excellent and entertaining reading experience., 14 Feb 1999
An excellent and superbly written story. It feels like you're sitting on the porch listening to your dad tell stories of his childhood. The pictures come in your mind to illustrate the tales. You feel the experiences as the author spins his words into a beautiful tapestry of a life. I gave the trilogy to my brother-in-law a few years ago and was in deep trouble with my sister! She said she didn't mind the light on late at night but his giggling and laughing kept shaking the bed and waking her up!! Pass this great series on to anyone who likes a good, entertaining read!!

Coming of age in the rural South. Pathos to hilarity., 18 Nov 1998
A semi-autobiographical story of growing up in the rural South. It is difficult to put down with stories ranging from hilarious to pathos. Always inciteful and yet affectionate, it perfectly captures the rhythm of life in the rural South in a bygone era. Combines the elegant and earthy--literary and poetic references with distinctively Southern witticisms and crudities.

One Great book of a Great Trilogy, 18 Sep 1998
I recently recieved the Sams trilogy as a graduation gift and I have enjoyed them immensly. Despite starting medical school I have not been able to put the books down. I have read all of them in succession and would highly recommend them to anyone seeking a thoughtful and completely entertaining set of books.

Are there more books coming out?, 25 Apr 1998
I loved this book so much. I grew up in the south and this book, as well as the others in the series, gives me such a feeling of home. It is one of the best that I have read. Will there be another book in the series? I can't wait to read it.

Unforgettable, 20 Jul 1999
This is, quite simply, the best book I have ever read - one of those books where you will miss the character long after the story. It was charming, hilarious, compelling, and heart wrenching. I just loved Porter Osborne Jr.!

Five stars without a doubt for Ferrol Sams's trilogy., 17 Jun 1999
I finished When All the World Was Young this morning and felt as if I were leaving a good friend when I closed the book. The life of Porter Osborne, Jr., told with humor and poignancy. I loved all three books.

Paging-turning trilogy, 04 Dec 1998
I picked up the first book in this trilogy, Run With The Horsemen, and found myself flying through it. The same happened with the second volume, The Whisper of the River, and, of course, the conclusion, When All the World Was Young. I have enthusiastically recommended the series to friends and co-workers. No one who has read it has had anything put praise to offer.

Ferrol Sams is the modern-day Mark Twain., 29 Jun 1998
The book is wonderfully written with well-developed characters. Sams' lyrical style gets the reader involved with the storyline so much that you feel like his characters are good friends.

This book is hilarious, 21 May 1998
Porter Osborne Jr, is the common down home good-ole-boy. This book describes his very funny antics and practical jokes while he is in the Army in WWII. The book also enables us to see things from different perspectives such as life, culture, religion, personality, and truth. Ferrol Sams is a master, his writing is both touching and funny. This is the kind of book that you just can't put down. It will make you laugh out loud, I promise.