Kentucky Books

This book is an excellent source of information for anyone who fishes the waters of the bluegrass state. You will find yourself returning to it again and again as reference. It is doubtful if anyone has more knowledge about the lakes in Kentucky than Mr. Lander

By Tim Tipton Sports/Outdoors Editor Meade County News Leader Brandenburg, KY

Jens Lund's book is an excellent and thoroughly-documented study of commercial fishing in the Ohio River Valley. We are fortunate that he documented the occupational traditions associated with fishing because the industry is under stress and rapidly changing. Lund provides rich descriptions of virtually all aspects of commercial fishing, from the various species of fish in the rivers to the variety of boats used and built in the Ohio River Valley and extending into ways of using nets, lines, and fish traps. The book is valuable for folklorists, historians, anthropologists as well as biologists and anyone interested in relationships between environmental concerns and culture. I would recommend this book highly and encourage readers to also look at important studies of maritime folklife such as the book "Beautiful Swimmers," which deals with crabbing in the Cheasapeake Bay and "Gladesmen," which deals with fishing and hunting in the Florida Everglades.

This beautifully illustrated cookbook is a must-have for those who want a primer to the foods that make Kentucky distinctive: benedictine, burgoo and beaten biscuits. There are new favorites here as well, reflecting the new population of Spanish-speaking immigrants and the proliferation of B&Bs serving dishes such as creme brulee French Toast. The photographs are fantastic.

I appreciate the writing style of this book published by The University
of Kentucky Press. It can be used in classrooms, I would think, and it
is also an enjoyable read for the casual reader who is interested in
Appalchian hill life in the first half of the 1900s. Van Willigen's
great narrative is well-complimented by some equally great black and
white photos. The author avoids using unnecessary, scholarly wording
and gets down to telling very interesting stories. Much use is made
of real wording from people he has interviewed.

For me, a Mid-westerner, this book is a must-have. I have an interest
in Appalachia and the Ozarks during the time period covered by this
book. It is a real "find" for me It will always have a place in my library.
Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a new hardcover copy with a very nice dust jacket...you'll want to keep this book, too.

The northern lights show up much farther South than usual, so far South in fact, that no one recognizes them as northern lights. With that brilliance in the night sky, it must be that the world is coming to an end. The panic and the reactions of the characters are every bit as intriguing as those of the passengers of the Titanic. I cannot believe that no one else has come forward to review this Kentucky classic by one of this century's greatest Agrarian writers.

If you are interested in late 18th century Kentucky history, Baptist history, or Kentucky genealogy, this is a wonderful resource. The book focuses on the early history and genealogy of Franklin, Woodford, and, to a lesser degree, Fayette Counties. After a brief history of the early settlements and churches (not just Baptist) of the area, the author devotes most of the book to its early families. Specific families are grouped together and the book is indexed by surname. I found Forks of Elkhorn Church to be invaluable for making connections between these early families.

Excellent for those interested in Ft. Ancient studies. thgis team took aa archaeological problem and went about solving it. A must for those conducting or interested in the Late prehistoric period of the Ohio valley.

Benjamin Franklin Cooling has written one of the most in-depth books ever on the Civil War in Tennessee and Kentucky. This is part 2 of his trilogy (the first book focused mainly on Forts Henry and Donelson) and I'm eagerly looking forward to part 3. Using a vast wealth of eyewitness accounts, diary exerpts, letters, military dispatches, and official records, Cooling has possibly written the most complete book yet on the Civil War in Kentucky and Tennessee following the surrender of Fort Donelson.

The author clearly believes that the fall of Fort Donelson spelled disaster for the entire Confederate defense of Tennessee, and he presents his case strongly. Anyone studying this theater of the war can see that the Army of Tennessee was severely handicapped by improper leadership (although the underated and cautious Joseph Johnston was at least loved by the troops). I still don't know why the Confederates gave up the strategically vital city of Nashville in 1862 without a fight. To me, that seems an even bigger blunder than the Confederate surrender of over 12,000 troops at Fort Donelson.

This book has period illustrations and mostly excellent maps in each chapter, and you will be amazed by the amount of details crammed into each chapter. From the failed Southern invasion of Kentucky to the "uncivil" guerilla warfare in middle Tennessee that left the Union garrison at Nashville under "siege" (their supplies were cut off for a while because of the Confederate guerillas), this is a gripping tale and very important book that's highly recommended for any Civil War buffs.

I enjoyed the book very much,MR Davis made it very enjoyable to read.

Essential reading for anyone wanting a thorough understanding of the historical events and policy mindsets contributing to America's current problems in the Middle East. Beautifully written and thoroughly researched, it also gives laymen and experts alike the knowledge necessary to really examine the foreign policy platforms of the '08 Presidential candidates. The winner would be wise to get Brands on board to help guide the ship!