5.0 out of 5 stars Treat Yourself to a Great Read, July 14, 2002
By Penny Patterson (Lakeville, CT United States)
This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
If you’re looking for a book that is simply a pleasure to read, Lord Baltimore is one you should put at the top of your list. It caught my complete attention on page one and held it through to the last page. Steven Doster is a natural storyteller. I hope he writes another one soon. I would recommend this book to anyone-male or female, from 14 to 70.
***
4.0 out of 5 stars A good beginning., June 23, 2002
By thefallingman (Sackets Harbor, NY)
This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
This is a very good way for a new novelist to start his writing career. Doster is excellent at capturing some of the eccentricities that exist along the Georgia coastline. His depictions of Georgia’s aristocracy, Gullah culture, backwoods politics, and natural wonders is fairly accurate. And the plot is just plain entertaining: from the time Ensworth is dumped on the dying Dixie Highway until he waves goodbye to Lord Baltimore, the comic misadventures just keep coming. If I had one complaint about this book, it would be that the final three chapters seem a little rushed. Perhaps the editor demanded some cutting or there were deadlines to meet, but some more time spent on Ensworth and Lord Baltimore‘s time in Savannah would have lead to a more satisfying conclusion. Don’t misunderstand, this is still a very good first effort from a promising new writer that is well worth the time and money spent.
***
5.0 out of 5 stars A Reader from South Carolina, July 5, 2002
By A Customer This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
Wonderful book for a weekend at the beach!!!!! I couldn’t put the thing down. I can’t wait for his NEXT book!
***
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, attention keeping, and thoroughly enjoyable, August 9, 2002
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
Stephen’s Doster’s Lord Baltimore is the superbly written coming-of-age novel of Ensworth Harding, an eighteen-year-old young man, given a letter by his father with strict instructions to deliver it faithfully and independently – or forfeit his sizeable inheritance! A charming saga about learning, growing up, and opening oneself to the mysteries and quirky personalities of the world, Lord Baltimore is entertaining, attention keeping, and thoroughly enjoyable reading!
***
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Weekend Book !, June 16, 2002
By A Customer This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
Where have great books like this been for so long? Thank God they’re back!! Terrific stuff to read – for boys and their fathers. The low country of Coastal Georgia has always been rich in its offerings: – wealth, history, danger, some wild hurricanes, fascinating people, and alot of adventure – if you were willing to go find it. So goes the main character in this book – with a strong push from his father, and the guidance of one very worldly fellow traveler. Long our favorite vacation destination – the islands of coastal Georgia have much more to offer than I ever realized. Next visit we’ll stay off the interstates and out of the tourist resorts and rediscover this amazing place. Thank you Stephen Doster !!!
***
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute delight, December 28, 2003
By hepsmom (Georgia) This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
After hearing about this book on Georgia Public Radio’s Cover to Cover program, I bought it. Once I opened the pages of this book, I couldn’t wait to find out what happened to Ensworth and “his Grace.”
There are twists and turns, some predictable, others not. It goes all throughout the coastal Georgia area. What a delightful jaunt into Georgia’s history! There are many Southern stereotypes, true, but there are many true portrayals as well.
This book is such an enjoyable coming of age tale, I’m taking it to the English department at the high school where I teach and recommend it. Don’t take this as a discount of its entertainment value for adults. It’s really a lovely book.
***
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing new book, June 9, 2002
By A Customer This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
This is a thoroughly refreshing and captivating book. The author exhibits great creative imagination and subtle humor. Descriptive passages enable one to see, hear, feel, and even smell the happenings in this tale. I am ordering another book for a friend.
***
4.0 out of 5 stars An engaging story!!!, May 29, 2002
By A Customer This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
I really enjoyed this book. It caught my attention early and kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. I thought the story was very creative and fun.
***
5.0 out of 5 stars Barrier Island Blast, September 27, 2005
By R. Sisk “Zoomer #59” (Forest City, NC) This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
This is a wonderful coming of age story that takes place on coastal Georgia. Not since Kinnakeet Adventure by Stanley Green have I read anything quite so good that utilizes America’s small Atlantic islands and their cultures so well. A great read as well as an educational experience. I recommend for anyone who rated this one 5 stars to pick up a copy of Kinnakeet Adventure too!
***
4.0 out of 5 stars Great coming of age story, June 22, 2014
By S. Garner (Atlanta, GA) Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Kindle Edition)
There are many important messages in this book, among them: money isn’t everything, don’t be deceived by appearances and kindness and empathy are among the best human qualities.
3.0 out of 5 stars Prep boy meets Huck Finn, May 15, 2013
By wahoo (Stavanger, Norway) This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Kindle Edition)
A sheltered boy who’s never been much farther than the country club where he hangs out with his golf buddies is forced to go on an adventure and live by his wits with the help of an unorthodox mentor. A “coming of age” story loaded with colorful coastal Georgia environment and characters.
***
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story!, January 13, 2013
By
Lauretta B. Lingle This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Paperback)
My husband I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great read, great characters, and the GA coast settings are lovely. The fact that we live in the area is the icing on the cake.
***
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful book., March 19, 2011
By Barbara Green “Barabara Green” (West Palm Beach, FL) This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Paperback)
One of the truly delightful, suspenseful, and wonderfully written books I have read. I gave it as a gift to many people who enjoyed it so much that they also thought it gift worthy.
Why it is not a movie baffles me.
Can’t wait to read more from this author
***
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read, November 4, 2009
By echo This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Paperback)
Lord Baltimore will be of special interest to those already enchanted by the Georgia and South Carolina low country; but it is a great read for all who enjoy picaresque, “coming of age” novels. As with other picaresque novels, the “plot” is a vehicle, moving the naive protagonist through his wanderings and introducing chance(?) encounters with an assortment of colorful (but thoroughly believable) characters. Lord Baltimore is a quick read, if you want; but it is particularly enjoyable read installments. Good for picking up, and putting down – at the beach, on the train, by the bed, etc. I love this book!
***
5.0 out of 5 stars Finding your identity, October 26, 2007
By Fruggle MacOogle “FMac” (CA) This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Hardcover)
First, this is a wonderful book! As another reviewer noted, it’s like reading a modern day Mark Twain! From the very beginning, there is “tension” in Ensworth’s relationship with his father. His father even kicks him out of the car on a rural road with the intention of making a “man” out of him. Thus begins his long journey to meet his father’s demands – “I give you a great gift today. See that open road? Your destiny lies down there…. If I hear so much as a peep until your journey is complete, I will disinherit you.” There Enworth’s life begins a new, where he befriends a man (Lord Baltmore) that is quite queer in his behavior and mannerisms. I couldn’t help but think if there was a movie, Casron Kressley would be perfect! The author’s use of prose keeps you reading page after page. And just as Samuel Clemens did, you just know that Doster interjects his life into the book, and you yern to uncover the story under the story and wanting to know the author. Are the allusions to a homoerotic relationship between Ensworth and Lord Baltimore intended? Is that what his father really wants to change about Ensworth? Was this a Huckleberry Finn in our culture and time, all wrapped up in the author’s personal struggles? Oh the drama! Suffice to say, Ensworth has adventure after adventure, and reaches his goal. But does it change him to the person his father wants him to be? I’ll let you read to find out!
***
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Coming of Age Story, August 31, 2007
By J. Alder “Anglophile” (TN USA) This review is from: Lord Baltimore (Paperback)
After feeling frustrated with his golf playing teen son, Ensworth Harding’s father sends him on an adventure to give Ensworth a way to learn about life, who to trust, how to judge things for yourself and just as a preparation of what will happen in his life in general. Ensworth meets a character named Lord Baltimore and has many adventures with comedic happenings along the way.
It gave me a feeling of Mark Twain’s writing but very today in feel. I had a rollercoaster of emotions going the whole book long. The names of the chapters is basically an outline of what happens. So, read the chapters and you have an outline of the book. Read the book to find out what happens to the characters. It has the feel and flavor of the Georgia coastal area, one of my favorite places to visit.