North Carolina Books

I feel like I'm a fly on the wall in Beethovens apartment...well, one of his many apartments. Can't get any closer than this too someone who lived that many years ago. I also find it hard to believe that a man like Rossini would spend two years in the same city as Beethoven and not meet him. I'm willing to bet that the moment Rossini stepped from his carriage in the city of music he grabbed the first passerby and said "Where do I find Beethoven?"

Schindler met Beethoven in 1814, when Beethoven was 44 and the author was an impressionable 19 year old. Schindler became an almost constant companion of the composer, and was witness to a number of fascinating occurrences that no other biographer, such as Ries, had access to. Schindler gives us examples of Beethoven's strongly emotional nature, in such a way that I felt I could have recognized the composer should I have passed by him on abusy street. Inclusion of this information is what made this biography most appealing to me. One of my favourite sections is an appendix entitled "Beethoven's Daily Routine" which describes, among other things, how Beethoven would count out 60 beans for his cup of coffee.

However, Schindler is not a transparent witness. Rather, he feels compelled to "protect" Beethoven from "his many enemies", for whom there is no historical basis. A sense of Schindler acting as guardian comes through strongly in the writing. The most striking example of this attitude is Schindler's description of the meeting between Beethoven and Rossini, a meeting which historically never took place!

Fortunately, this excellent Dover edition is thoroughly annotated - there are as many editor's notes as there are pages in the text! I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading a contemporary account of the life of the great composer, and who would enjoy witnessing the profound effect that he had on at least one of his associates.

I have enjoyed this book very much. It written by someone that knew Beethoven ,and it offers you a lot of information about Beethoven's life, it is accurate. When there are two differents versions of the same event, the authors explains and describe them.
A very objective book and enjoyable.

Great book

Strange that the first reviewer says that the meeting between Beethoven and Rossini never took place. Rossini and Beethoven would have disagreed! They met in the spring of 1822 when Rossini was in Vienna for the premiere of his opera Zelmira. Rossini has left an account of the meeting

Laura Fleming and her husband Richard are visited by the manager of the sock mill in Laura's home town. Strange things are happening at the mill and Burt's father is looking to sell the place. Since alot of Laura's relatives work there, she agrees to investigate. Sure enough, the town and the Burdettes are split about the sale. To top it off, there is a firebug in town, and one of the prospective buyers is killed in a fire. Laura suspects one of her cousins of the fire, but doesn't believe he'd commit murder.

This is an entertaining mystery. Laura's relatives are really funny and plentiful. The mystery is good also. I definitely will be reading more of this series.

Richard Fleming is a professor who enjoys quoting Shakespeare in his everyday conversations. His wife Laurie is a computer programmer from Byerly, North Carolina, a place where her family still mostly resides. Laurie is renowned as an individual who solves homicide cases. Still, both are shocked when the son of her hometown mill owner Burt Waller appears at their Back Bay apartment.

Burt's father wants to sell the mill to Yankees, but he opposes the deal. He needs the Flemings to return to Byerly to dig up some dirt on the perspective buyers so his father will not sell. Since many of Laurie's relatives work at the mill, the couple agrees to investigate. Upon arrival, the Flemings realize they seek dirt on a seemingly nice man. They additionally become involved in several arson and one murder investigation.

Toni L. P. Kelnor writes some of the most quaint and likable amateur detective novels on the market today. DEATH OF A DAMN YANKEE is one of the better mysteries in a well-written series. The complex story line is multi-faceted and captures the essence of a small Southern town, while seeming to test sub-genre boundaries. The lead protagonists are a charming duo that contributes to the enjoyment of the novels. These entertaining Fleming tales are fun to read.

Harriet Klausner

Laura Fleming and her husband Richard are visited by the manager of the sock mill in Laura's home town. Strange things are happening at the mill and Burt's father is looking to sell the place. Since alot of Laura's relatives work there, she agrees to investigate. Sure enough, the town and the Burdettes are split about the sale. To top it off, there is a firebug in town, and one of the prospective buyers is killed in a fire. Laura suspects one of her cousins of the fire, but doesn't believe he'd commit murder.

This is an entertaining mystery. Laura's relatives are really funny and plentiful. The mystery is good also. I definitely will be reading more of this series.

I live in the area where the ficitonal town of Byerly is located. Trust me. It can get a little strange sometimes reading the Laura Flemings books and see a mention of a location familar to you in a work of fiction. It's almost like you're in Wonderland where everything is familar but yet different in some way. I'll admit that it has been fun trying to figure out where Byerly is located.

Can't wait until the next book.

This unusual and well written book is about real people and their struggles with obesity and the resulting ostracizm and prejudices from a society obsessed with thinness to the point of anorexia. It provides re-telling of interviews with people attending the Rice Diet House in Durham, North Carolina, and it shows how their common bond of being fat has created a subculture that provides support to their kind in an otherwise rather hostile world. For them the Rice House is the place of last reort after failure of all other approaches to diet. The Rice diet is the oldest successfull program still in existance and doing good.This book is very informing and a delight to read because it is real and not the usual hype used by the sellers of diet programs.

This book was a great book. I could completely identify with the author and all the people she interviewed for the book. If there is anyone out there who has gone on diet after diet, and your weight has yo-yoed up and down, you should read this book. It is a great comfort and a great book to read over and over.It was nice to know so many people know how I feel and understand my plight to diet.

I loved this book. I laughed and cried. I found out everything I wanted to know about the Rice Diet at Duke University. It was full of insight and validation for everyone who struggles with their weight. Finally a book that doesn't preach but chronical the problems we face and the culture in Durham where I'd love to be able to go and try the Rice Diet. I like it so much that I sent Jean an e-mail and she said that she is working on a second book. So until then I'll just have to re-read this one.

This book is simply wonderful. For years I felt that no one understood what I have been going through and then I found this book. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and many points made me happy. If you have ever struggled with you weight this book lets you know that you are not alone. Just go out there and DO IT!

If you are interested in the hurricane history of any special state or region, this is probably the finest work of its kind written to date. Following a superb introduction to our subject, the author describes every significant or noteworthy storm to hit Florida since the 1700's. Each entry includes a map showing the storm's track through the state. We learn of the unique impact each had on the sunshine state. Some hurricanes, of course, like Agnes, had major impacts outside of Florida, and Barnes writes of these as well. Looking through these pages also shows us the cyclical nature of storms. In some years disaster hit several times, while other periods (like the 70's), saw little activity of any kind.

I found this edition to be much better than the author's NC one, if for no other reason than Florida's more active history! While some hurricanes listed in the other book may be of interest mostly to locals, the ones here, like the Labor Day and Miami storm, are truly important historically. I would hope Barnes is writing on the hurricane history of other states as well.

My earliest memory was Hurricane Donna, and I have been intrigued by hurricanes ever since. This book offers a considerable amount of historical data along with fascinating accounts. Highly recommended to anybody who would like to learn more about the history of hurricanes in Florida.

Great photos, and all the detail you could ever want on Florida hurricanes. The survival stories are frightening! All the weather data is there. It's a great resource for us hurricane junkies!

What a great book. We've enjoyed the stories of the memorable storms like Donna, Andrew, and Opal and the effect theyve had on generations of Florida residents. The 1926 Miami and 1928 Okeechobee are well covered. Also very interesting reading on those storms we've never heard of. The photographs are stunning-and frightening. Its organized well, and the reading is not too technical. It stays on our coffee table.

This is a great book for teachers and Christians to read! I really enjoyed the different perspectives that the two voices shared.

This is an excelent book for all people all ages.Mrs.Whited I am so happy for you,and I hope that you continue to suceed with your writing and teaching.

Parents, students, future educators, and Christians should all grab a copy of this book. I thought it was a very insightful book into a world in which we tend to overlook. Very few people realize the impact that educators have on our children and the challenges that face them.

I was unable to put the book down. This book gives a new perspective on educators and the hard, thankless job they perform day in and day out. Now throw in the fact they are Christian educators with an even higher responsibility! Wow, you just have to read it to understand.

The 2 voices speak loud and clear.

You must own this book. It will open your eyes and change your heart.

Mr. Price brings the reader back to the Curtis family (first introduced in his novel, Hiwassee) and a society faced with new challenges in Reconstruction. This book is educational as well as entertaining--it offers a fascinating look at day-to-day life, the state of medicine, societial problems, romance, suspense, and the tenacity of the human spirit. I couldn't put this book down! It also illustrates how at any given point in history, people are faced with differing--but just as complex--challenges. Good reading, not only for history buffs, but for anyone who appreciates fine literature.

This book is an excellent sequel to Price's first Civil War novel, Hiwassee, which dealt with the war as experienced on the home front in NC mountains. Following the family introduced there we find the ex-slave holder and the ex-slave having to deal with each other and the feelings of hate and love and bitterness they both feel. The characters are rich and forceful. The language strong and emotionally evocative.

An excellent addition to the Civil War literature and one that examines race relations and the feelings of those that tried to move forward after the Civil War. Well written.

Set during the early days of Reconstruction in the mountains of North Carolina, this novel is the second of four novels that create a multigenerational saga in which you will come to know some of the most honorable and most despicable characters ever to emerge from Civil War literature; and the fighting and hatred and fear continue to build as lives and emotions are squandered and sacrificed on the altar of freedom, long after the war has ended. Everyone is searching for something---revenge, profit, normalcy, love, reconciliation, redemption---and how each character goes about his own personal journey is the stuff of this novel. Price's characters, language, and emotions are true to place and time, and he writes with great beauty and clarity, tackling difficult and heartrending themes that show us the rawness of human nature played out during a time of great cultural angst. I recommend you treat yourself to a real feast by reading all four novels in the order they were written: Hiwassee, Freedom's Altar, The Cock's Spur, and Where the Water-Dogs Laughed.

I found this book to contain great ideas and images about the changes in masculinity and femininity as portrayed in the American media. My students enjoyed the ideas in class discussions as well.

As the saying goes, "Beauty is not skin deep." Of course, that doesn't matter to the American media; it would seem that in their opinion, there's no place in our society for anyone whose beauty is not evident on the surface. Moreover, the standards of beauty on television and in the print media set the bar quite high. A pretty face won't do; to be a superstar, you need to bare lots of skin, like Britney.

Thinking back to Victorian-era prudishness, when a girl's *ankles* couldn't be exposed and when a woman's place was in the home, it's hard to imagine how our culture got to this point. How did we women get to where we are today? And what relationships, if any, are there between the way we live life and the media images surrounding us?

To learn the answers to these questions and more, read "The Girl on the Magazine Cover." Kitch, a journalist and historian, presents a compelling case for women's journey from "matronly" to "dangerous but beautiful" to "cute, skinny, and sexually free." Her focus is on 1895 through 1930, a period of some of the most rapid changes in our history, when technology, early feminism, and higher education intersected. Kitch argues that one result of their intersection was the "new woman," whose liberation was quickly co-opted by the forces of capitalism and consumerism into little more than a marketing tool. (Progress, indeed!)

Note that Kitch's focus is broader than the title would imply: She devotes one chapter to depictions of African-American women, another to the crisis of masculinity faced by men in this era of change, and still another to families. Her epilogue is quite strong, drawing connections between the depictions of women in early magazines to the depictions of women on television today.

In sum, "The Girl on the Magazine Cover" is an evocative, compelling contribution to the fields of mass communication and women's studies. Kitch's arguments are sound, backed with extensive research and illustrated by well-chosen reproductions of period magazine artwork. If the media, women's rights, and/or stereotyping are of interest, then this is the book for you!

America is more than familiar with the stereotypical blonde bombshells that grace the covers of magazines, television programs, movies, and advertisements. In Carolyn Kitch's book she is able to outline the origins of how stereotypical images came about. Her extensive background in the media along with the use of actual magazine illustrations allows her to present her arguments in a way that anyone with an interest in women's history in the media can understand.

Kitch's book maintains the reader's interest by citing specific examples, providing information about the time period, and providing illustrations. Keeping a loosely chronological form allows the book to flow, but the ideas of the time period are more important to Kitch than keeping a pattern. She breaks at appropriate points to discuss alternate visions that challenged and reinforced stereotypes in the media.

While Kitch's book is effective, it is not extensive. Its sheer size just doesn't allow Kitch to get as in depth as she could. She promises so much in the introduction, but isn't able to deliver all that she promises.

The books briefness keeps it from being extensive, but it is still able to provide me with a more organized knowledge of how stereotypes of women in the media such as the ever-popular blonde bombshell came about.

After obtaining some old women's magazines from the 1900's, I wanted to learn more about drawings of women which graced these magazine covers. I also wanted to understand why illustrations were used far more often than photos, even after photos were used for the ads within the magazines themselves.
This book was just what I needed to understand not only what the illustrators were trying to say about women's roles at the time but about how so many of these images and stereotypes of the "ideal" woman still permeate our magazines (and culture) today. If you've ever doubted that "what goes around comes around again" when it comes to women's stereotypes and ideals, reading this book may change your mind.
For those familiar with such icons of The Golden Age of Illustration as C. Coles Phillips's Fadeaway Girls or the rather sophisticated women of J. C. Leyendecker or any other artists of the time, this book will be a delight, revealing new insights about the artists visions. For those interested in social history, the book is equally engaging, showing how artist who drew cover girls for popular magazines such as Life, Saturday Evening Post and Good Housekeeping also worked for major businesses and even the government, helping to perpetuate the popular images of women throughout the culture.

So much of what Charleston is now has been the result of whitewashing its past more than its historic buildings. With a depth and criticism, Yuhl establishes a balanced understanding beyond what most visitors see in the water-colored myths available for purchase and the selective memories handed down to native Charlestonians and like-minded transplants. A complex and contradictory reality behind the fabrication of Charleston's historical mythology is revealed with wit and scholarly directness. This is a must read for anyone looking to know more than what gets promoted by the tourism industry. Perhaps Yuhl's book will be considered a milestone in bringing present Charleston, though maybe kicking and screaming, in to a more accurate understanding of past self.

Stephanie Yuhl's study of Charleston is a great read, organized brilliantly with metaphors from theatre, and wonderfully well written. As a newcomer to Charleston but a long time South Carolinian, I was fascinated by her account of how Charleston has marketed itself. Her analysis of the literature of the Charleston Renaissance is extremely insightful as is her critique of Charleston's most well known painters. But perhaps most astute is her analysis of class and race relations. This book is definitely a prize winner!
Carolyn Matalene
Distinguished Professor Emerita
University of South Carolina

When you visit Charleston for the first time you are impressed and at times overcome by the sheer beauty of the place. The charismatic churches, cobblestone streets, and preserved homes seem almost movie set like in their ability to transport you to another time. Stephanie Yuhl's book very adeptly explores the phenomenon that is Charleston. This capitol of the south has been able to preserve itself like many European cities have done for centuries. An effort that is largely ignored in most other American urban areas. I wish I had "Golden Haze of Memory" when I first went to Charleston, as it explores how and why this Southern Belle of a city has sought urban renewal through preservation of a romanticized past.

Stephanie Yuhl's book on the "making" of historic Charleston, South Carolina during the 1920s and 1930s -- the era of "Porgy and Bess" -- is fascinating. Yuhl deconstructs the mythmaking that artfully ignored some of the city's less heroic features and transmuted them into a placid, controversy-free image of a way of life at once locked in the past but also looking forward.

Stephanie Yuhl's book is a great read for historians and layman alike. I loved it. As a native Carolinian(North), adopted Charlestonian, historian, and community college instructor, I found the book fascinating. The research and conclusions are thorough and thoughtful. I have used it as a reference for my own research on memory and cultural association. The sources and notes are extensive. Yuhl's book, as any good history, creates new questions for debate. Those people who consider themselves versed in the history of the city should read it and have an opinion. This book is "about Charleston" and "FOR Charleston". But it is also for the rest of us who visit and study the city, and care about its special place in the history of the South.

AS a grandmother, I often feel a sense of dismay at the lack of exposure modern day children are being afforded of the classics of literature. Books like this one with wild illustrations designed to grab the eye of the reader and keep it with a text more understandable to the twenty first century child are a gift to be shared. This is a book that will attract readers. I can't think of anything more important. With vocabularies being drawn from television, movies and video games that often fall very short of expressive ideals, it is so nice to see some one tackle Swift and make him palatable to young readers. Anyone up for Dickens, Kipling and Stevenson? What about good old Mark Twain? Kudos to Jenkins and Riddell.
My soon to be six year old grandson will love this book. I consider it my job to make sure he keeps getting treasures like this one.

When most of us hear the name "Gulliver," a picture probably comes to mind. A giant. A strong, brawny fellow? Leave it to consummate illustrator Chris Riddell to give us a smile provoking Gulliver with knobby knees, a bump in his nose, and shirt askew. Gulliver is still prone to many adventures, just as Jonathan Swift intended when he wrote "Gulliver's Travels," but he's also a tad clumsy with a tendency to wind up in comical positions.

There he is in Lilliput on the first of his voyages skewered into the sand by all those little people. In this double-page full-color spread every bony finger is pinioned, his waistcoat is tacked to the ground, and one big toe pops through a hole in his sock. Next, we find tiny spear bearing soldiers marching across the length of his body.

Consider Gulliver's voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubrib, and Japan. If you recall, the ship he was aboard is taken over by not one but two pirate ships. Such ferocious buccaneers you've never seen. Thankfully the Dutch pirate captain showed our hero a little sympathy, and we find him tucked into a small canoe and set afloat.

Each of Riddell's illustrations is a gem, and will surely be enjoyed over and over again. He is a political cartoonist for the Observer, thus the perfect choice to bring Swift's political satire to life.

Martin Jenkins has done a yeoman's job of retelling this classic. His adaptation is true to Swift's original story yet it is more easily understood by young readers. While this Gulliver will hold appeal for all ages, it is certainly a choice introduction to what is considered to be one of the finest stories ever written. Kudos to both Martin Jenkins and Chris Riddell with, of course, a deep bow to the memory of the incomparable Jonathan Swift

- Gail Cooke

Gulliver's adventures to imaginary lands are used to illustrate the foibles and pettiness of mankind. In his first adventure, he finds that the tiny Lilliputians are forever at war with their island neighbors over how to crack open an egg, and they are therefore suspicious and manipulative. By contrast, the giants of Brobdingnag live by "common sense, reason, justice and fair play," but Gulliver is often in danger by being so tiny in their country. In other lands, Gulliver meets all kinds of characters - constant worriers, crazed inventors, preposterous rulers, and some chatty ghosts who give him a history lesson. With each adventure, Gulliver becomes increasingly aware that the beliefs he holds about mankind's achievements may be the opposite of what he had thought. Finally, he meets the horse-like Houyhnhnms (sounds like a horse neighing), "noble creatures ruled entirely by reason," who have no idea of evil. Their country is also inhabited by Yahoos, wild animal-like humans without any redeeming qualities, who steal from each other and squabble endlessly. Gulliver is so taken by the civilized, virtuous Houyhnhnms that he would like to live happily ever after with them, but they can't get over the fact that he really must be a Yahoo, who will only encourage the other Yahoos to revolt against them. He is cast adrift in a small boat and eventually finds himself back in England, where he has to get used to lying, deceit, self-importance, and greed once more. Some of the story elements are a little disturbing, such as his attitudes towards the servant classes, and some of the outrageous behaviors of certain characters verge on disgusting, but this is always used to make a point. Overall, this is a beautifully-made book with much food for thought, for both young and old alike.

This is really a beautiful book. The illustrations are quirky and captivating and the language, while not antiquated, still reads like a classic. I sat reading it to my 7 year old son in the bookstore for a good 15 minutes before realizing we just had to take it home. Originally a story which my son would have had to wait until at least junior high to read, this version sits up on the shelf next to Doctor Dolittle, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland etc. The fantasy is emphasized but the political satire is gently present for those old enough to appreciate it.

great- excellent information in an easy to use and understand format- highly recommend to anyone with an interest in oldest mountains on earth or just in visiting western north carolina.

This is an excellent and actionable guidebook. It introduces aspects of area history, geology animal and plant life in an accessable format. Plenty of specifics are provided to help you find the exact place being discussed, and you are warned in advance how long or hard the hike will be.
This is the only regional guidebook I have found that divides the area along its prominent geologic areas, and discusses the topology, history, flora and fauna from that perspective.
It took me a little effort to get oriented, but with the help of my local topo map book, I was soon understanding in greater depth the beautiful area in which I live. I love to hike and trout fish, and this book is helping me plan my outings. This Sunday, you will find me fishing on Spillcorn Creek.

As a child of Asheville, I found the book very good. I learned details about the area I was born and raised in that at 56 I did not know. Anyone that wants to know lots about this national treasure of outdoors must get this book!

The Highroad series of guidebooks is a blessing to anyone wanting to explore the mountains. The North Carolina guide is no exception. The author includes detailed, up-to-date information on trails, camping, rivers and other areas of interest for lovers of the outdoors. The book includes not only the well-known places but also out-of-the-way, obscure sites well worth a visit. The maps are a plus. If only I had this guide when I lived in North Carolina!