The House That Jacob Built

by Emeritus Professor John Gould

In 1940, the 1780-farmhouse that noted Maine essayist and curmudgeon John Gould's great-grandfather built burned to the ground. To honor the generations that came before him, Gould there and then decided to rebuild the house in Lisbon Falls. Memories clung to every beam and rafter and these recollections form the substance of Gould's memoir.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[Chrystal]

If you love nostalgic stories of bygone times, of country life back in the olden days, this book will warm your heart and make you yearn for a simpler life...

Jacob Gould was the author's great-grandfather. He built a large farmhouse in 1780 in Lisbon Falls, Maine. The house burned down in 1940, the night John's son was born. They lived in a log cabin until they were able to rebuild the house. This book tells the story of the old house, and the new house. Remembering the old house brings out many stories of the people who lived in it.

There are many funny stories such as when John's grandfather had shoes made for the billy goat so that he could chase the kids on the frozen pond, and the time he went visiting folks, with a bellowing ram in the back of the carriage.

Along with the funny stories, there are many touching accounts such as when his grandfather returned from the Civil War on Thanksgiving Day, and when the deaf-mute came to chop their wood on Christmas Day. Many a tear was shed by me reading these stories, alternated with hoots of laughter.

Read this to be transported to a bygone time where people worked hard on the farm, but came home to eat and play together.

Which reminds me of all the descriptions of the food his grandmother would make...that punkin pie sounds incredible!

[Beth]

I found this book in a pile of older books at a sale. The author is a well known Maine author and because I lived in Maine for many years I thought I would give it a read. I picked it up and started reading. It wasn't the fastest read... too many little details I wanted to savor. It is a "pretty much" true story and reminds me of sitting in front of a wood stove in the Maine woods somewhere, listening to tales from the old timers. I have, in fact, done this. I lived and worked in a Maine town, not out in the woods like this one but I could relate to a lot of it. And the fact that he often mentioned people I had heard of and things I knew about made it more real to me. Loved the book and although it took a while to read I savored every bit of it. Hated it to end. Now have to find some of his others. My husband has been waiting anxiously for me to finish so he could start reading it.

[Peggy]

This is an absolutely delightful book! I laughed out loud.

[Seth Nelson]

Very good

[E. Joy]

After the house of Pioneer Jacob Gould burned down in 1940, his great-grandson, John Gould, honoured the generations who came before by rebuilding. Mingled throughout are stories of old-time life of a Maine farm, of neighbours and dogs and old-fashioned hard work. True stories, of real people.
While this book cannot take you back, it at least gives you the flavour of a simpler time in the woods of Maine.

[Bruce Patrick]

“Keep a thing seven years,” the saying goes, “and you’ll find a use for it.” —John Gould

[Carol Hamilton]

Nostalgic reading for me since my mother was born in Augusta, ME and I have many good memories of family vacations in Southern Maine. Some of the traditions of cooking that my mother had are certified and true Maine traditions according to this book. Besides being nostalgic reading for me, however, John Gould has a fantastic sense of humor and there are many spots in the book that made me laugh out loud.