Goodnight, John Boy: A Celebration of an American Family and the Values That Have Sustained Us Through Good Times and Bad

By Earl Hamner Jr.

Book Overview

Step back into the era that shaped American television--and meet the real family who inspired it.

Goodnight John-Boy is the heartfelt memoir of Earl Hamner Jr., creator of The Waltons, the beloved series that brought faith, resilience, and family-first values to living rooms nationwide.

Perfect for fans of classic TV and memoir enthusiasts alike, this deeply personal book takes readers behind the scenes of one of television's most cherished shows. More than just a nostalgic keepsake, Goodnight John-Boy is a moving tribute to timeless themes that still resonate today: the strength of unity, the value of honesty, and the enduring power of doing what's right.

Inside this unforgettable tribute:

A complete episode-by-episode guide, filled with production notes, cast memories, and real-life inspirationsIntimate reflections from actors, writers, and fans who helped bring the show to lifeOver 200 rare photographs capturing candid moments and behind-the-scenes historyHeartfelt commentary from Earl Hamner Jr. on the values that made The Waltons a timeless classic

Keep the spirit of Walton's Mountain alive--one story, one memory, one goodnight at a time.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581822987
• ISBN13: 9781581822984
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Cumberland House
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

How Interesting

When I found this Book I was so pleased and excited. Being stuck way out here in Australia we don't always get everything from America. This especially is the case if the TV Stations don't get ratings on a show they don't show it and this was the case with the Waltons. It ran for awhile and then stopped and I never saw the end of it. The Book was interesting as it listed the episodes I never saw and brought me up to date on the Characters. I am a real movie buff and I also love biographys so this book was a great source of information and reading for me.

If you like The Waltons.........

This is a wonderful book if you want to take a walk back in time to Walton's Mountain. A nice way to be reminded of all that was good about this homespun show. The "extras" are all the interesting photos and facts from Earl Hamner himself and others involved with the show. The writers and actors comments on "behind the scenes" is interesting. I do think you have to be a pretty big fan of the show to really value this book. Overall, a fascinating read about a show that we could use on the air now.

Heartwarming stroll down memory lane

I really enjoyed reading this book. It felt like a family reunion. I grew up watching the Waltons and reading this book brought back memories of sitting with my family and enjoying the show. Photos are fun and stories inspiring!

Still on TV thirty years later

Reading this book is like drinking hot cocoa on a snowy day-it warms you right through. It begins with a touching foreword by Richard Thomas who played John-Boy on The Waltons. In his preface Earl Hamner sets the tone of the book when he describes driving through the back lot of a movie studio to visit the replica of the house he grew up in as a child. He recalls the family that he re-created in his books and on television-a warm and caring family that many of us came to know watching the series. Goodnight John-Boy is a reflection on the literary and television career of a sensitive and humble man whose life's work has been a tribute to his parents, brothers and sisters, and a fading way of life. The book is sprinkled with pictures of Earl's own family and the actors and actresses who were cast to play them. In real life the two families have mingled so much over the years that it's hard to tell them apart. Thirty years after the show began, there are still reunions of some of the real family, cast members, and fans every year. In fact, plans are underway for a new Walton's Mountain Museum in Lovingston, Virginia, the county seat of Schuyler, where the "real" family lived. If you are a fan of The Waltons, you will love this behind-the-scenes look at the people who were involved with the show. Of course, I'm a little biased. The last chapter of Goodnight John-Boy contains an essay I wrote contrasting the family values of the series with the base reality shows of today. Since it began in 1972, The Waltons has appeared almost continuously on television and fans continue to find solace, inspiration, and enjoyment in it. Read this book and then start watching the series again on the Hallmark channel starting in January 2003.