Goodnight John-Boy by Earl Hamner, Ralph E. Giffin
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Book Reviews of Goodnight John-Boy
Book Review: A Helpful Resource for the Walton Fan
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this book, written by Earl Hamner (creator and producer of the Waltons) and Ralph Griffin (president of the Blue Ridge Publications in Ocean Pines, Maryland), just before I began to purchase each of the nine seasons of The Waltons on DVD. The book was published in 2002, which is really a testament for how loved this series is, especially considering the last season ended in 1981! The first portion of the book introduces Earl Hamner's family, and how he became a writer. Hamner then describes his early writing career, and then his succession of books, starting with "Spencer's Mountain", which led into "The Homecoming", which further led into the TV special of the same name, and which finally led to the highly successful (and loved) TV series. The middle portion of the book explains how the actors were selected to play their roles in the TV series, which I particularly enjoyed. What follows is a very brief summary of each episode from season 1 to season 9. There are many comments and anecdotes from the actors, guest actors, and Walton fans, which make reading the summaries a joy. The book is interspersed with pictures of the cast and scenes from some of the episodes. The book concludes with a chapter on Walton's Mountain Museum (located in Schuyler, Virginia), and then a meaningful tribute written by Ms. Elaine Klonicki. Her tribute summarizes why so many of us were touched by the Waltons, and why we continue to love the show to this day. The appendix contains a list of all the actors who appeared in Walton episodes along with their character names.
I could only give the book 4 stars for several reasons. First, the book itself is made rather cheaply. This is stock paper, not quality paper, and likewise, the pictures are black and white and are printed on the same paper, thus, they are not the quality one would like to see. The pictures themselves are quite nice, but would have been appreciated much more in color and on quality paper. Oh well, cannot have everything and still be offered at a reasonable price. The second thing I did not like about the book is the lack of detail on why certain characters left the series, such as Michael Learned, Ralph Waite, Richard Thomas, and Peggy Rea. It would also have been interesting to see a summary of each season's ratings, and how they compared to other network shows. When did the writers learn there was not to be a season 10 - and how did this impact the writing of the final episodes in season nine? I would have appreciated more information in this regard. Finally, this is a very "gentile" telling of the Walton's experience; the book presents little or no behind the scenes squabbles, of which there had to be some! I recall a comment (on a news video) by Michael Learned in regards to Ralph Waite, which indicated some tension between the two of them. Certainly, this is no Kitty Kelly tell-all book, and was not meant to be, but a few additional tidbits of "juicy" controversy would have made the book more complete and interesting.
Had this book been done with more actor/TV information, and been of "coffee-table" quality, especially in regard to the pictures, it would be a very nice keepsake. As it is, as much as I adore the Waltons, I am not compelled to want to keep this book forever. It is a valuable easy-reading resource, but it falls short of being a treasured keepsake. I could not give it 3-stars, but how about 3 and 1/2???
konedog
Book Review: Great but some of the story synopsis' are inaccurate
Summary: 4 Stars
As a fan of "The Waltons" since I was 11 when the show premiered in 1972, this book is a must have for ALL fans!! It is truly insightful with many wonderful photographs. The best part of the book of course are the season by season synopses of the episodes but some of them are inaccurate. For example in the synopsis for "The Thanksgiving Story" there is a subplot with Jason helping the Baldwin Sisters making 'The Recipe'. The sisters decide they want to adopt Jason. However, in the brief synopsis given in the book it is mentioned that BEN is the ONE they want to adopt. Any TRUE BONA FIDE WALTON FAN knows this is wrong. It is Jason whom the Baldwin Ladies had affinity for. THe research for the synopses could have been better as they are brief but I appreciate the commentaries that have been included with some of them. There could also have been more interviews with the cast. I have read and re-read the book many times and have no interview to find with David Harper who played Jim-Bob. Everyone else was included, why wasn't he? Maybe he just didn't make himself available. Another piece of information that should have been addressed but was not was the fact that Richard Thomas was NOT the ONLY John Boy. During the last 2 seasons the show recast the role with actor Robert Wightman in the part. Of course, Richard Thomas was the definitive John Boy and the show wasn't the same after the fifth season, when he left. Why they recast the role will forever remain a mystery. This, by no means, is a reflection on Robert Wightman who brought his own sensitivity and depth to the role....but it WAS a role that COULD not and SHOULD NOT have been recast. It would have been interesting to read Hamner's explanation as to why this was done to give Wightman some credit. He did the best he could given the circumstances. Also, I would have liked to have read more about why Michael Learned left the series during its 7th season and Ralph Waite during the beginning of the final one. These issues weren't talked about, either.
These are minor quirks for a fan like me. All will find this book enjoyable despite the minor flaws mentioned above.
What I have been waiting for and wondering about is when are they going to release all 9 seasons on a DVD boxed set. This show would make a Classic series like "Gilligan's Island", "Lost in Space" and "Little House on the Prairie" are selling like hotcakes and "The Waltons" should be right there with them.
Columbia House has put some episodes out on VHS but they are a waste of money. They pick episodes at random and never offer a complete series.
I have most of the episodes taped off the "Family" channel when it was airing them years ago. But the problem with them is that they are butchered and incomplete. What we "Waltons" fans need now is a complete season by season boxed set on DVD and then we can truly say "Goodnight John Boy".
Earl Hamner I hope you're reading this. Thank you for the precious gift you've given us with "The Waltons".
Book Review: Great for fans
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book that gives the background of the creator of "The Waltons" and also the background of the TV show. I enjoyed reading the summaries of each episode and the specials, since I'm not at the level of fandom where I've seen every one. I also enjoyed reading about the museum, which I hope to visit one day. The only drawbacks are that I would've liked to have more included about the cast (the glimpses of them as they were when they were hired was the best part of the beginning of the book). I wished there were more quotes from the actors (there are some accompanying the episode summaries). I wished there could've been photos of them today (when the book was published) and more about their lives post-"Waltons." Also, it upsets me that you can't look up the shows by title in the index. If you're watching one in syndication on TV and you try to look it up, you have to page through the episodes section (and there were nine seasons)! This is a lovely book but it feels like it was put together a little hastily. Improvements could've been made.Book Review: Great TV History!
Summary: 4 Stars
At the beginning of this summer I can honestly say that I was not a fan of the Waltons. I hadn't really watched it when it was on every night or in reruns. In fact as a kid I avoided it like the plague!But after this summer I have a new found appreciation for The Waltons. In June, my wife and I visited Schuyler, VA. In that small mountain town, we found the Walton's Mountain Museum. Schuyler, VA is the town that Earl Hamner grew up in. I now have a new found joy for this wholesome show!
If you have a chance visit this town and see where it all began. It is well worth your trip!
This book is a memoir of the years Earl spent writing his books and contributing to the show. It gives you some great insight into what went on behind the scenes, and also why Earl wrote what he wrote.
There is also a handy episode guide with many comments about the show. Each episode is listed in chronological order by air date.
This is a great book for those who love the television show.
Book Review: The Waltons
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book so much.I have all seasons of The Waltons and watched them over the years.It was so good to read of all the people who protrayed this large family and what they are doing in life after the program ended.I am sending it off to my older brother to read,he also has all the dvds. I have been on line for other books involving The Waltons
Lillian