Kentucky Books

"What Parish are You From", a powerhouse of sensitivity, insight and humanitariansim, describes the fatherly role of the Catholic Church in immigrant America, how forces both inside and out of the realm of Catholocism were faced and how finally the neighborhoood ethnic Catholic churches met their Waterloo. The diluted essence of a neighborhood church changed the relationship of parishoner to parish forever...it was no longer able to "shelter" its people.

Voila, the compacted dithers of mutton & larks! Ecco, predicted lathers of metro & lux! Lo, the monastic matters of mirrors & lakes! Zounds, the hermetic spiels of motor & locks! Behold, the gathered deepistles of monachus & littera! Witness the mighty phrasings of miracle lustrum! All hail the bibliotickles, viva the dublintenders, long live the fortunetells of hoy & halloo! Heed the prophetic warblings of minus & linus! Lament the bombastic tangles of mittwoch & letznacht! Observe the respected nightingales, doves & coulombians. Celebrate the valiantimes scattered by freundlich & freud! Three cheers for the bandied ampersands of max & louie, the mingled missives of joyful eremites.

As a resident of Madison County, where the battle of Richmond took place, I've enjoyed learning of the Civil War as it happened here, in the familiar environs of my home. Dean Lambert's scholarly treatment of the subject lacks the usual tedium which I've come to associate with many deep and scholarly works of history. (I love hstory in spite of those kinds of writers). His love of history flows through undiluted and pure in the pages of this book in much the same infectuous vien as Carl Sagan's work when he brings science and astronomy into sharp focus with his unbridled sense of wonder. I've taken the driving tour of the battle of Richmond while listening to the cassette narrated by Dean Lambert, and I've felt his sense of awe and wonder at the great things that happened in our vicinity. I'm not just saying this because I'm a rabid member of the Madison County Historical Society, (I'm not a member at all), or because Dean Lambert was a member of my American Legion Post, or because I missed my chance to tell him just how much I enjoyed his work (and perhaps even sheepishly ask him to autograph my copy), since I attended his funeral recently. Dean Warren Lambert passed away on January 11th 2002. I wish there were more works of this quality and magnitude written about the Rich history of this area, but tragically, there will be no more from the pen of Dean Lambert. I highly recommend this book for all history buffs; especially those who are interested in the Civil War. There is no Substitute for excellent writing, and Dean Lambert augmented his with a genuine love for the subject matter that shines through on each page!

My family lived in Harlan, Kentucky on and off between 1920 and 1934. After my parents and my brother left Kentucky and I was born, they continued to tell stories about life in Harlan, the conflicts between the miners and the mine operators, efforts in public health and education, the role of the church, and so on. One particular story described the 1935 death of Elmon Middleton from dynamite attached to the starter of his car. My dad told this story so vividly that I could never forget it. So I decided to read about the setting, the times, and to look for documentation of this event, in preparation for writing a biography of my dad. Which Side Are You On? presents a comprehensive and detailed history of those times in that place. The author offers thorough documentation of the controversies and scholarly descriptions of social and economic conditions. For example, he explains the realities of transportation costs on the price of coal, along with the primitive nature of roads, bridges, and railroads in Eastern Kentucky; the need to stay competitive in pricing on the part of the companies; the inborn (Scots Irish?) reluctance of the miners to organize into unions; the racism and poverty endemic in the miners' camps; the habits of violence, in evidence long before the various efforts to unionize; and the lack of state-funded social and health services, as well as very poor public funding for roads and bridges.

I am a nontraditional student attending Ohio University Eastern Campus. As part of an English class we were required to read this book and attend a lecture given by Dr. Sohn. The book is about the literacy practices of Appalachian nontraditional students (women) before, during, and after graduating college. How it changed the voice of these women. There were many parallels between the women of the study and my life. They have given me hope that I too will succeed in the goals I have set for myself. I too am a whistlin' and crowin' woman! Good luck Dr. Sohn on your next book!

Mr. Seymour's descriptions and pictures of the wildflowers of the cave area are clear and easily used. His comments add an extra dimension to the usual guide book.

When I searched for a wildflower guide specific to the central south, I never expected to find such a thorough and helpful book. Whether you hike the hills and actively hunt for wildflowers, or simply want to know what's growing in your backyard, Wildflowers of the Central South is an indispensable field guide. I've recommended this book to garden clubs and wildflower preservation groups all over the south.

This is the best UK basketball history that I have ever read. It was extremely well researched and written, and combined a genuine love for the University of Kentucky and its program with a recognition that wrongs have been done in the past. It is a "warts and all" story, but one still sympathetic to the subject. The pictures and anecdotes are all great, and in the appendix there is a comprehensive statistical summary of all the games and all the season records. If you are a Wildcat fan, buy this book.

After many years of neglect, this seems to be the time of the Mediterranean theater of operations during World War II. First came Rick Atkinson's excellent An Army at Dawn that talked about the birth of the American Army in North Africa. Now Ms. Tomblin's excellent companion on the Naval Operations.

It was in the Med that the Army and the Navy won their spurs. Although opposed by the American brass, the operations in the Med tought the Army and the Navy vital lessons that would have doomed the cross channel invasion pushed by American leaders for 1942 (Operation Sledgehammer) or 1943 (Operation RoundUp) at the latest.

It was in the Med that the US Army learned the importance of close air support (instead of the strategic long range favored by the Army Air Force). It was in the Med that the Army and the Navy really learned what years of neglect in fielding new equipment would really cost in lives. It was in the Med that the Navy really learned about amphibious operations that would later pay dividends in both the Pacific and the coast of France (both at Overloard and at Dragoon on the southern coast).

Ms Tomblin has done a truly supurb job of researching both the official documents and talking to the veterans from the Med to put together what will probably be the definitive book on naval operations in the Med.

Harland Hubbard's simplisitc woodcuts are an excellent source of inspiration for printmakers and artists. He captures the true meaning of life through his work. Next to his art in the book, are selections from his journal during his shantyboat home,and farm life in Northern Kentucky. This is the next best thing to viewing his original works at the Berringer-Crawford Museum in Norhtern Kentucky!