Virginia Books

This is a very challenging and rewarding book. In this day of political correctness, all too often we do not want to acknowledge this contradiction in the formation of our nation. This book is the product of a government project to preserve first-hand accounts of slavery before the last surviving slaves died in the 1940s. As terrible as these accounts are the book acknowledges that many personal accounts were toned down so as not to offend. The resiliant spirit and courage of these slaves who are now free will both encourage and at the same time make you angry. It is encouraging because in spite of the horrific lives of many of the former slaves they were unwilling to allow this to destroy them. At the same time this is maddening as we consider how many intelligent and talented men and women were enslaved with many also being abused or even killed all for the greed and profit of some.
Some of the accounts have been challenged because they are personal accounts based totally on the memories of the now freed men and women with little or no collaboration. However this is also what makes these accounts so valuable. This is their story about their life and what they endured. No amount of legal documents can relate how this affected these courageous men and women.

"The Negro In Virginia" is a book the American School System must include in their History classes! They have done a disservice to the American student! After reading the book, it brought me to shame and pride. Shame on Americans who caused slavery to be part of a nation who was supposedly a "Godly nation". Shame on all the other people, who involved themselves in the trade of slavery: Africans, Dutch, French, British, Spanish etc. Shame on those who preached of God's Love and who held slaves themselves; and on the politicians who wrote the Consitution and held slaves, and for those who used them for their own personal sexual satisfaction.

The biasness of the "white" man is conveyed so eloquently, without offense. Many people who have many fears, misconceptions and are misinformed of African Americans, may thank their ancestors.

I take pride in knowing that although, many innocent men, women and children died as a slave, those who prevailed, helped the cause for Ameican Freedom, not just freedom for the "negro", did so honestly. Many Slaves who fought in the Civil War and other "wars" did so valiantly! The contributions from African American is so well described.

The book allowed me to see through the eyes of the former slaves who survived. The pain of fathers who were separated from their family. The mothers whose children were taken away and sold. The children who never knew who their parents were. For those families who searched for each other after the Civil War. It described how blacks were not only used as commodoties but, used against each other at times.

The strength of the African American is so alive and descriptive in this book; and so is the fear of the Anglo-Saxon. For many Anglo-Saxons who contributed to the freedom of slaves described their, compassion, love, and boldness and perhaps their the true "Godly Fear".

Everything from the American Presidents' African Kings, and Foreign Rulers involvement in slavery to economics to education of African Americans is in this book.

It's a book you cannot put down, especially if you thought you knew American History, as I did. It brought tears at times and amazement, but most of all it has enlightened my knowleged and appreciation for the continual struggle of African Americans.

If you have compassion...It's a must read book!!

I'm not much of a writer of reviews but do want to heartily recommend this book to all and especially anyone interested in the Appalachian area, history, media, or law.
I did truly find it to be a page-turner.
I'm a native of the area but this case was a little before my time and I had not heard a word about it. I was hooked from the first page.
I do think most people would like this book for one reason or another. I was so surprised to see how Wise County was a bit before its time in some of the legal aspects of the trial.

The Depression era saw its fair share of sensational murder trials in the United States: Winnie Ruth Judd (the 'Trunk Murderess'), child-killing cannibal Albert Fish, and Bruno Richard Hauptmann (accused of kidnapping and killing the Lindbergh baby), to name a few. They all received extensive press coverage, provoked controversy, and went on to become the subject of more than one best-selling book. Although her two trials in connection with the death of her controlling father were cause celebres for their durations, Edith Maxwell has never received a book-length examination of her case until now. And that's what makes Sharon Hatfield's "Never Seen the Moon" such a fascinating read and important social document.

It's more than just the reporting of a young schoolteacher's now-forgotten battle for her life and then her freedom. Sharon Hatfield exposes 1930s America's prejudice toward Appalachian culture in general and 'hillbillies' in particular, political restrictions that forbade women from sitting on the Maxwell jury and allowing her to truly be judged by a collection of her peers, and the younger generation's fight to challenge violent paternal authority.

"Never Seen the Moon" can be read and interpreted as an exciting piece of True Crime or a sobering social document. Highly recommended.

NEW ENGLANDERS ON THE OHIO FRONTIER is a witty and scholarly chronicle about migration to Ohio in 1802 for 41 families (settlers, not speculators) from Connecticut and Massachusetts. The McCormicks have used an unusually rich store of primary data to document the transformation of life in Ohio. Into the wilderness these settlers came with an elegant town plat which included a village green, Episcopal church, a school, and a subscription library, and within 10 years attained material culture which matched or surpassed that left in the Northeast. This case study ends in 1836 just after Worthington's incorporation. The McCormicks are scholars who write beautifully and this very accessible, colorful history ends too soon. The reader is primed for a sequel.

"New Englanders on the Ohio Frontier" is more than a history of the founding and settlement of Worthington, Ohio, and subsequently, its impact on the development of Columbus, Ohio. It is the fascinating study of how migration into the Ohio frontier was not accomplished by adventurous individuals in buckskin, but by a well-organized and well-led company of settlers from Connecticut and Massachusetts with a definite purpose in mind. It demonstrates how their New England culture was transplanted into the Ohio wilderness and how it continues to influence the modern city. Virginia E. and Robert W. McCormick have written a scholarly but very readable text on local history. I highly recommend it on many levels. Paul Watkins, Worthington, Ohio

{This is} a brief book that doesn't fetishize fifty and that collages different voices. Though its contributors rarely object or probe or mention negatives--nor ask how and why 'women' are changed into 'older women'--some present important facts and perspectives succinctly. Gwen Yeo, director of the Stanford Geriatric Education Center, notes that 'Women over fifty are less prone to epression than any other age or gender group.' Artist Claire Falkenstein, trying to undermine the prejudice that creativity wanes with age, says that before her eighties she had never been able to use 'a symbolic language in the way I do now.'

From Margaret Morganroth Gullette - Women's Review of Books

{The} candid conversations found in this volume inspire, amaze, and challenge attitudes about women and aging. . . . Skillfully woven by the authors, discussions cover sexuality and enopause, beauty, eccentricity, housing, politics, careers, mentoring, risk-taking, and more.

Despite the acknowledged lackof socioeconomic and ethnic diversity reflected here, these proceedings make an important contribution to understanding women's place in the world today. Thoughtfully designed with large clear type. Detailed participant biographies appended.

From Paulette Bochnig Sharkey - Small Press

This is a great personal account of the struggle to desegregate Norfolk's school system during the Civil Rights era...told by someone right in the center of it all. This makes history come alive for those of us too young to have been there...

So often the real, personal accounts of history are never heard and instead we learn of a select few's vantage point. Mr. Heidelberg LIVED desegregation and has graced us with a powerful, first-person narrative of what life was like for African-Americans striving to get only what their white peers were receiving - a quality education with opportunities.
You must get this book! This is a story about desegregation and human rights that you probably have not heard before.

This book can be a dry read a t times, there is a lot of information in parts but it helps focus your observing of young children.

If for research or documentation you have the need to observe children, this book will serve as a detailed guide to that process. It includes recording routines, a children's use of materials, peer interaction, child-adult interaction, play, adult-directed behavior, language, and finding patterns.

During several summer vactions on Virginia's eastern shore, I've enjoyed researching and piecing together information about this special peninsula. I purchased "Off 13" in a local museum during this summer's vacation and spent a day devouring it. I now consider this my key quick reference book to one of my favorite places. Off 13 provides succinct and accurate guidance for exploring off the shore's beaten path. It also provides fascinating appetizer bits of history for an 'oldcomer'. Simply a wonderful book. It can be purchased at the Cape Charles Museum off 184 in Cape Charles, VA.

But I ask a favor... please don't tell too many people about this wonderous world off the 'mainland.'

Kirk Mariner's book "Off 13 - The Eastern Shore of Virginia Guidebook" offers a highly informative and entertaining guide to an overlooked but tranquil peninsula bounded by the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, not far from the Nation's Capital. Many people know of Chincoteague but may not be aware that the rest of the Virginia eastern shore is well worth exploring. "Off 13" is full of interesting anecdotes and historical information about the area and its many little towns as well as useful and practical information for travellers.

Take this guidebook with you to Colonial Williamsburg, and it's almost like having a private tour guide showing you the high-points, and saving you wasted time getting around.

Buy it as a souvenir, and you'll have the perfect refresher of all that you've seen, with some in-depth information about the buildings and people of the town.

It's important to know that Colonial Williamsburg is, indeed, a living CITY, and there is more than can be seen in one day. The Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg is a valuable tool for that visit.

If you are planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, this is the book to have! It includes detailed drawings of each building, shop, tavern, and official hotels in the historic area. This book tells about each point of interest and ticket options. If you want to read up about the historic area before or after your trip, buy this book you won't regret it

This is one of the most useful guides I've ever read. Virginia was host to nearly 1/3rd of all Civil War engagements, and this guide covers them all like a mini-history of the war. Unlike travel books that are organized geographically, this guide organizes them chronologically. Each campaign is prefaced by a detailed overview, followed by concise (from 1 to 4 pages, depending on the battle's importance) but engrossing descriptions of the individual engagements. These descriptions make this a great book to browse through when you're not in the car. Most sites' summaries touch on their condition--whether they're threatened by development (as too many are) and whether they're in private hands or protected by the park service.

But the maps are where this book really stands out. Each battle features a very clear map designating army positions and historical roads, as well as historical markers (the author also wrote the /A Guidebook to Virginia's Historical Markers/), parking, and visitors' centers. Best of all, though, many battles are illustrated with paintings or photographs of the sites, and the point-of-view of these pictures is marked on each map!

If you are familiar with either or both of the two editions of the excellent "Civil War Battlefield Guide", then you should add "The Official Virginia Civil War Guide" to your collection. This book has the advantage than in focusing on about 1/3rd as much of the war, it can do so in far greater depth.

Many small conflicts that don't receive more than a mention in the other guides are prominently and competently presented here. This makes the work a handy reference tool and an interesting read in its own right.

The layout is an improvement over the previously mentioned guides in several ways. Not only is there increased depth, but tactical maps are included for every event covered--rather than just the major ones. In addition, simple campaign maps are also included (something missing in many battle monographs even.) One weakness is that the tactical maps are not overlaid onto topographical maps, so in cases where the guides both have maps the general work is preferable in most instances.

The information on visitor centers, directions, and interesting background is very helpful as well. Also of note, the introduction states that all royalties from the book will go towards preservation efforts in Virginia.

One can only hope that similar works will be produced for other regions. This guide sets a fine standard for others to follow.

I read this book 25 years ago and it is still the best study skills book out there. Every high schooler headed to college should own a copy.

One of the first (if not THE first) appearances of this title, Ms. Voeks' work is concise yet commanding. With a soundly expressed point of view, she offers in this slim volume a much greater reward to her readers than can be found in subsequent, and more emptily-massive, publications with the same or similar title. In it's brief, yet kindly, tell-it-like-it-is manner, her book will be a welcomed -and valued- gift to any young person about to leave "the nest".