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Earl Hamner Jr.
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Spencer's Mountain: The Family that Inspired the TV Series The Waltons Kindle Edition

by Earl Hamner (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,523 ratings
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In this classic novel that inspired the TV series The Waltons, a father struggles to support his large family in Depression-era rural Virginia.
 
For generations, the Spencers lived on the mountain that still bears their name in the Blue Hills of Virginia. But the hard times changed everything. Now Clay Spencer works at the local mill in New Dominion and lives with his family in housing provided by the company. A proud patriarch, he is determined to build his loved ones a new home in the hills. And he’ll do whatever it takes to give his children the best lives possible—including his eldest son, Clay-Boy.
 
The first member of the family to graduate high school, Clay-Boy wants to go to college, but the cost of higher education is too great a burden for the Spencers to bear. Still, his father is not easily deterred, even in times of great trials and personal tragedy. But to help his firstborn achieve his cherished dream, the elder Clay may be forced to make a devastating sacrifice that could impact the future of the entire Spencer clan.
 
Based on the author’s own family background and childhood experiences, and the basis for the classic motion picture featuring Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara, Spencer’s Mountain is a moving celebration of familial love and commitment in the face of overwhelming odds. Evocative and unforgettable, it is a timeless American classic that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
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  1. Print length
    250 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    RosettaBooks
  5. Publication date
    April 28, 2014
  6. File size
    1569 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Unforgettable...pure joy.

-- "Harper Lee, #1 New York Times bestselling author"

About the Author


Born in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge mountains, Earl Hamner, Jr., is an award-winning author, screenplay writer, and producer of several well-known teleplays and television series. He got his big break writing episodes for The Twilight Zone, including the popular “You Drive.” His most well-known television series is The Waltons, which is based on his bestselling stories Spencer’s Mountain and The Homecoming. Both novels were inspired by his own childhood.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07NMSLVQ1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ RosettaBooks (April 28, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 28, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1569 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 250 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,523 ratings

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Earl Hamner Jr.

Earl Hamner Jr.

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,523 global ratings
Paying if forward generationally
4 Stars
Paying if forward generationally
Spencer's Mountain has been a favorite of mine since I was a very young boy. I first came across it in a Reader's Digest collection. Having been raised in a rural setting myself, there was much about Spencer's Mountain that I identified with and I certainly felt a kinship with Clay-Boy. Later when The Waltons came along (after the book had been made into a movie starring Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara among others) I found the adjustments to the story line a little disappointing, but not so much that I did not come to enjoy The Waltons.The allure of Spencer's Mountain for me is the strong commitment to family. This is a typical family of the time that did not have an abundance of material possessions, but they had in abundance the things that make a family a family. This family had a commitment to security for its own, but it also had the seed of transformation for those in their rural community. I think Hamner captures the values of the people who lived during the time this family was set. For someone raised in an urban setting the circumstances, environment and diversity of people may be different but the themes are as true in the urban setting as they are in the rural setting.If you want to be transported back to a time that appears to be simpler, but was really complicated by the absence of margin, financially speaking, read this book over a weekend. Spencer's Mountain strips away all of the modern day props to reveal the value and importance of family, a father and mother who desire great things for their children and children who know that they are loved and great sacrifice has been expended on their behalf creating in them a desire to do the same for others. It is a pay it forward sort of story starting with a father and mother.
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Top reviews from the United States

Sandy
5.0 out of 5 stars My thoughts
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2024
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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.
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Yellow Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars good book
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
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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.
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BlendingIn
4.0 out of 5 stars Simple Story with Heart
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2017
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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.
59 people found this helpful
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KatSmith
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and authentic
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2022
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Having watched The Waltons on TV for years, I was afraid I would find this book wanting. Absolutely not!
The book had a very authentic feel to it. It reminded me of kin in West Virginia. I felt like a member of the clan as I read through the book. It was realistic and spell-binding. I feel enriched having read the book.
4 people found this helpful
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JM
5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2024
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A little slow with the shipping but happy over all thank you.
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Johannah Bryson
5.0 out of 5 stars purely refreshing
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2022
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A well told story/memoir with what felt like simplistic living but was anything but! Great characters and visualizations. If you’re looking for a sweet story of the hard scrabble life full of love and laughter, this one’s for you.
One person found this helpful
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Durro
3.0 out of 5 stars Not Waltons Mountain
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
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If I had never watched the Waltons it would’ve been a better book. Still a good read.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2022
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Excellent read. Fond memories of watching "The Waltons". The book touched me, because I could relate to the story of working class dreams. "Spencer's Mountain" should be a school set work.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Shan Simpson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Classic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2017
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This novel is a heart and soul story that never dates, and continues to inspire new generations. Almost 40 years have passed since I first read Spencer's Mountain, and in recent days I had the pleasure of passing it along to my youngest niece. A child who is more athletic than academic, she has been captivated by the beautifully written tale of the joy and hardships, of life, love, and family set against the backdrop of a small mining town in the Depression era USA.

Of course like myself, she was first captivated by "The Waltons", a truly timeless television series inspired by Spencer's Mountain, that I grew up with back in the 1970's Belfast. I was given Spencer's Mountain for my 10th birthday, and it has been one of those books that I could never bring myself to part with. It's been handed down, and around, but has alway come back to me to be lovingly re-read to a new generation, and after many years living in Virginia, I can hear the voices of the Mountain folk, as find myself reading with a Southern accent.

Spencer's Mountain is a book that harks back to a gentler time, and continues to delight and inspire. Definitely worth reading.
9 people found this helpful
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bcc
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it! It was everything I thought it would ...
Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2014
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Finally!!! I've been asking for this book in Kindle for years. I was thrilled to finally read this book. I loved it! It was everything I thought it would be. If you are a fan of The Walton's and the movie Spencer's Mountain, you will love these books!
4 people found this helpful
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Patras
5.0 out of 5 stars From Spencer to Walton
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2010
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After years of watching and enjoying the simplicity of The Waltons, it was with great pleasure to finally find the original book, at a price that was affordable! Some copies were over £50.00!
It was strange to read the name 'Clay' and 'Clay Boy' instead of the well-known 'John' and especially 'John Boy'. However, the names soon become unimportant as the story, simple though it is, takes its hold.
One can't help imagining the TV characters' faces as one reads and this for me made the book so much more enjoyable.
It is an easy-read book; not demanding nor all absorbing like a thriller or mystery! It is American in its deleivery, and quite right that it should be. Read with that in mind and you will see the characters come to life before your eyes.
One to keep on the book shelves!
11 people found this helpful
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P. Saunders
4.0 out of 5 stars I liked it :)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2010
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It was easy to read and interesting all the way through. Even though a lot of the details like names were different to the Waltons TV series, it was fun recognising the characters like the Baldwin sisters.

It covers a shorter timespan than the Waltons since it finishes when Clayboy (Johnboy) gets into college. I had thought it would sort of condense the complete Waltons into its pages but the fact it didn't hasn't spoiled the enjoyment.

I had wanted to read this book for the last 20 years but I had given up looking so I am glad I have finally come across it :)
6 people found this helpful
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Kelly Sheppard
2.0 out of 5 stars Delivery
Reviewed in Canada on October 26, 2023
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Not happy that it was left out in the rain when I got home book was all wet in package. I do have a covered porch but it was left on step. Other than that everything was good
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