What do you think?
Rate this book
Our Home: Or the Key to a Nobler Life
Book about the sanctity of family and family life. Discusses time-honored virtues and values only found within the family circle. Deals with raising and educating children.
- GenresParentingRelationships
472 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1888
7 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 10, 2009
I first heard Rachel DeMille mention the book Our Home by C.E. Sargant a few years ago in the Core and Love of Learning CD. The book sounded interesting, and I shelved it away in my mind as a book I would like to read some day. A few months ago I heard Dr. DeMille mention the book again in a webinar he gave. This time I felt inclined to see what this book was all about, so I purchased a copy.
Our Home, published in 1899, and written and edited by six men with either ecclesiastical or publishing backgrounds, is a book about homes, families, and what makes them successful. The book covers, chronologically, the aspects and needs of the home beginning with the origin of the family, through childhood, young adulthood, growing up and leaving the home, to eventual death and continuation into further generations. The book is very thorough in discussing all things necessary and helpful in each stage of life to the creating of a successful home and family.
At 616 pages, this book is not short, nor does it treat lightly of its subjects. Each chapter is very thorough in its discussion of the related principles. Although the text often reads like a sermon, it never is a dry one. The authors are not shy of being very clear about what is good and what is not. The style is typical of the time-period: almost like poetry at times, very direct at others. Included in the book (at least in the first edition, I am unsure about the newer ones) are eight gorgeous steel-plate prints that relate to the topics in the chapters.
If you've ever had any questions about how the delightful families found in such books as: Laddie, the Anne of Green Gables Series, Little Women, and others, this book is a primer on how to create such a family environment. Some of the topics include: Childhood, Rewards and Punishments, Amusements for the Home, Education of Our Girls/Boys, Books for the Home, Evenings at Home, Sundays at Home, Manners at Home, Patience, Courage to Meet Life's Duties, Personal Responsibility, Sorrow and Its Meaning, and Heaven Our Home.
One of my favorite chapters (you won't be surprised) is entitled: Books for the Home. I am always delighted when I read a book, fiction or non-fiction, that seems to echo what I feel in my heart. This is such a book. Let me share just one delightful paragraph:
That we may secure the greatest advantage from the use of books we should be most careful in our choice. An English officer in India took down a book from his library and felt a slight sting in his finger as he opened it. In a few hours his arm began to swell, and in two days he was dead. He had been stung by a venomous asp. There are other snakes, more deadly still, that hide in books; that poison the soul with a more mortal virus; that kindle flames of unhallowed passion in the chambers of the mind and set the whole being on fire with the fire of hell. Other books, by their wishy-washy flood of trivial commonplace, drown out the opportunity of studying the great books that are the mental landmarks of the race. “A good book,” says Milton, “is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.” Why wast our time upon a trashy and frivolous book when we may hold high converse with the wisest sages, the greatest souls, the noblest heroes the world has ever known?
Our Home is one of the best books I have ever read. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking to better their family and home life. I am delighted that there is a second volume, I will be anxious to read it, too!
Our Home, published in 1899, and written and edited by six men with either ecclesiastical or publishing backgrounds, is a book about homes, families, and what makes them successful. The book covers, chronologically, the aspects and needs of the home beginning with the origin of the family, through childhood, young adulthood, growing up and leaving the home, to eventual death and continuation into further generations. The book is very thorough in discussing all things necessary and helpful in each stage of life to the creating of a successful home and family.
At 616 pages, this book is not short, nor does it treat lightly of its subjects. Each chapter is very thorough in its discussion of the related principles. Although the text often reads like a sermon, it never is a dry one. The authors are not shy of being very clear about what is good and what is not. The style is typical of the time-period: almost like poetry at times, very direct at others. Included in the book (at least in the first edition, I am unsure about the newer ones) are eight gorgeous steel-plate prints that relate to the topics in the chapters.
If you've ever had any questions about how the delightful families found in such books as: Laddie, the Anne of Green Gables Series, Little Women, and others, this book is a primer on how to create such a family environment. Some of the topics include: Childhood, Rewards and Punishments, Amusements for the Home, Education of Our Girls/Boys, Books for the Home, Evenings at Home, Sundays at Home, Manners at Home, Patience, Courage to Meet Life's Duties, Personal Responsibility, Sorrow and Its Meaning, and Heaven Our Home.
One of my favorite chapters (you won't be surprised) is entitled: Books for the Home. I am always delighted when I read a book, fiction or non-fiction, that seems to echo what I feel in my heart. This is such a book. Let me share just one delightful paragraph:
That we may secure the greatest advantage from the use of books we should be most careful in our choice. An English officer in India took down a book from his library and felt a slight sting in his finger as he opened it. In a few hours his arm began to swell, and in two days he was dead. He had been stung by a venomous asp. There are other snakes, more deadly still, that hide in books; that poison the soul with a more mortal virus; that kindle flames of unhallowed passion in the chambers of the mind and set the whole being on fire with the fire of hell. Other books, by their wishy-washy flood of trivial commonplace, drown out the opportunity of studying the great books that are the mental landmarks of the race. “A good book,” says Milton, “is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.” Why wast our time upon a trashy and frivolous book when we may hold high converse with the wisest sages, the greatest souls, the noblest heroes the world has ever known?
Our Home is one of the best books I have ever read. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking to better their family and home life. I am delighted that there is a second volume, I will be anxious to read it, too!
April 29, 2008
There were so many gems of thought in this book, but they were safely padded with lots of narration of the author's opinion. It was still worth the read, to discover those truths, though some of the sentiments expressed were very outdated (like how polluted the interior of the modern home is due to poor circulation of air and the coal stove burning all the time). I loved his thoughts about nature and how nature refuses to let anything germinate and grow until she first covers it and shields it from the world, and at first it may seem insignificant, but as it is nurtured, it grows into something substantial and contributing.
July 21, 2012
this book had some good parts but also some ridiculous ones. it's good for a quick read through, but out dated in some of his sentiments - not principles, but sentiments. i own this book, got it shipped from south america because it was one of the last ones i could find - but i was kind of disappointed that it wasn't AWESOME!!! it was just....meh. i know i should quote some examples, but i read it three years ago. sorry...can't remember.
August 27, 2010
This book describes much of what I hope for my family and love to be inspired by it.
Want to read
December 24, 2009http://books.google.com/books?id=BSAE...
full view on google books
full view on google books
January 3, 2022
Great book so far. It has me thinking, which is something I've missed.
October 4, 2016
This is poetry to the heart. Beautiful and simple truths, this is an amazing work that should have a place in every American home.
Reading this was such a privilege. I am sure to read it again.
Reading this was such a privilege. I am sure to read it again.
September 9, 2010
This is a great classic! It makes your really look at your times and your home more closely
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews